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<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:prism="http://prismstandard.org/namespaces/basic/2.0/" version="2.0"> <channel> <title>Wiley: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology: Table of Contents</title> <link>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10991212?af=R</link> <description>Table of Contents for International Journal of Osteoarchaeology. List of articles from both the latest and EarlyView issues.</description> <language>en-US</language> <copyright>© John Wiley & Sons Ltd</copyright> <managingEditor>wileyonlinelibrary@wiley.com (Wiley Online Library)</managingEditor> <pubDate>Tue, 04 Nov 2025 09:14:46 +0000</pubDate> <lastBuildDate>Tue, 04 Nov 2025 09:14:46 +0000</lastBuildDate> <generator>Atypon® Literatum™</generator> <docs>https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html</docs> <ttl>10080</ttl> <dc:title>Wiley: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology: Table of Contents</dc:title> <dc:publisher>Wiley</dc:publisher> <prism:publicationName>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology</prism:publicationName> <atom:link href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10991212?af=R" rel="self" type="application/atom+xml"/> <image> <title>Wiley: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology: Table of Contents</title> <url>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/pb-assets/journal-banners/10991212.jpg</url> <link>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10991212?af=R</link> </image> <item> <link>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.70044?af=R</link> <pubDate>Thu, 23 Oct 2025 21:16:56 -0700</pubDate> <dc:date>2025-10-23T09:16:56-07:00</dc:date> <source url="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10991212?af=R">Wiley: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology: Table of Contents</source> <prism:coverDate/> <prism:coverDisplayDate/> <guid isPermaLink="false">10.1002/oa.70044</guid> <title>Environmental Variation and Domestic Turkey Management in the Pre‐Hispanic Middle Rio Grande Valley</title> <description>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, EarlyView. </description> <dc:description>ABSTRACTDomestic turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) are ubiquitous in the archaeofaunal record of the pre‐Hispanic US Southwest/Mexican Northwest. However, this ubiquity is not synonymous with uniformity in either use or management practices, and in fact, the avifaunal record of this region encompasses a great deal of variability. One potential driver for variation in past turkey management decisions—environmental differences—has been little explored. This paper addresses questions about past turkey husbandry in the Middle Rio Grande Valley of New Mexico, an area encompassing numerous distinct ecoregions. We examine differences in turkey management across the area using archaeofaunal records from Pottery Mound Pueblo, Tijeras Pueblo, and the Isleta Pueblo Mission. These assemblages represent the rich avifaunal record of this area, where the ancient residents interacted with a diverse array of both local and migratory birds as well as raising domestic turkeys. Our results highlight the benefits of looking at the entirety of the avifaunal record in order to achieve a richer understanding of human–avian relationships and past management decisions. We find that environmental context played an important role in shaping human–bird interactions and guiding turkey husbandry decisions. We demonstrate how this approach facilitates intersite comparisons and provides the best explanation for intraregional differences in the use and management of specific taxa.</dc:description> <content:encoded><h2>ABSTRACT</h2><p>Domestic turkeys (<i>Meleagris gallopavo</i>) are ubiquitous in the archaeofaunal record of the pre-Hispanic US Southwest/Mexican Northwest. However, this ubiquity is not synonymous with uniformity in either use or management practices, and in fact, the avifaunal record of this region encompasses a great deal of variability. One potential driver for variation in past turkey management decisions—environmental differences—has been little explored. This paper addresses questions about past turkey husbandry in the Middle Rio Grande Valley of New Mexico, an area encompassing numerous distinct ecoregions. We examine differences in turkey management across the area using archaeofaunal records from Pottery Mound Pueblo, Tijeras Pueblo, and the Isleta Pueblo Mission. These assemblages represent the rich avifaunal record of this area, where the ancient residents interacted with a diverse array of both local and migratory birds as well as raising domestic turkeys. Our results highlight the benefits of looking at the entirety of the avifaunal record in order to achieve a richer understanding of human–avian relationships and past management decisions. We find that environmental context played an important role in shaping human–bird interactions and guiding turkey husbandry decisions. We demonstrate how this approach facilitates intersite comparisons and provides the best explanation for intraregional differences in the use and management of specific taxa.</p></content:encoded> <dc:creator>Caitlin S. Ainsworth, Abigail A. Judkins, Emily Lena Jones</dc:creator> <category>RESEARCH ARTICLE</category> <dc:title>Environmental Variation and Domestic Turkey Management in the Pre‐Hispanic Middle Rio Grande Valley</dc:title> <dc:identifier>10.1002/oa.70044</dc:identifier> <prism:publicationName>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology</prism:publicationName> <prism:doi>10.1002/oa.70044</prism:doi> <prism:url>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.70044?af=R</prism:url> <prism:section>RESEARCH ARTICLE</prism:section> </item> <item> <link>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.70016?af=R</link> <pubDate>Mon, 20 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate> <dc:date>2025-10-20T12:00:00-07:00</dc:date> <source url="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10991212?af=R">Wiley: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology: Table of Contents</source> <prism:coverDate>Mon, 01 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDate> <prism:coverDisplayDate>Mon, 01 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDisplayDate> <guid isPermaLink="false">10.1002/oa.70016</guid> <title>Beyond the Binary? A Multi‐Method Approach to Sexing Children at the Viking Age Site of Ihre, Gotland</title> <description>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, Volume 35, Issue 5, Page 233-247, September/October 2025. </description> <dc:description>ABSTRACTThe assessment of sex is fundamental in osteoarcheological analysis, yet traditional morphological methods are less reliable for children due to the incomplete development of sexually dimorphic traits. This study applies a multi‐method approach—integrating morphological, metric, and genetic data—to assess sex and, through analysis of burial assemblages, explore gender expression as an interpretative complement. While analytically distinct, gender and sex are deeply intertwined, and considering both can offer a fuller understanding of identity.The study focuses on the Viking Age (c. 750–1050 ce) burial site of Ihre, Gotland, with particular attention to individuals under 20. Results reveal strong alignment between metric and genetic sex. Mandibular odontometric analysis proved more consistent than traditional morphological traits when compared to genetic sex, offering an accessible and effective supplement for sex estimation in children. In adolescents, pelvic traits were most informative, while cranial traits showed limited reliability. Genetic sexing provided a critical reference, highlighting misclassifications in morphological assessments, particularly among genetic males.Burial assemblage analysis indicates that gender expression often corresponded with biological sex but varied with age. Female graves typically included dress items such as brooches and pendants, especially after adolescence, while male graves more frequently featured tools and weapons. These patterns suggest that gendered roles and identities were materially expressed and changed over the life course.The findings underscore the importance of a multi‐method approach in sex estimation, particularly for children, and demonstrate the value of contextual archeological analysis in interpreting past identities. At Ihre, the interplay between sex, gender, and social identity in mortuary practices suggests a framework that, while broadly organized around binary distinctions, was shaped by age and culturally specific factors—highlighting identity as dynamic, layered, and context‐dependent.</dc:description> <content:encoded><h2>ABSTRACT</h2><p>The assessment of sex is fundamental in osteoarcheological analysis, yet traditional morphological methods are less reliable for children due to the incomplete development of sexually dimorphic traits. This study applies a multi-method approach—integrating morphological, metric, and genetic data—to assess sex and, through analysis of burial assemblages, explore gender expression as an interpretative complement. While analytically distinct, gender and sex are deeply intertwined, and considering both can offer a fuller understanding of identity.</p><p>The study focuses on the Viking Age (c. 750–1050 <span class="smallCaps">ce</span>) burial site of Ihre, Gotland, with particular attention to individuals under 20. Results reveal strong alignment between metric and genetic sex. Mandibular odontometric analysis proved more consistent than traditional morphological traits when compared to genetic sex, offering an accessible and effective supplement for sex estimation in children. In adolescents, pelvic traits were most informative, while cranial traits showed limited reliability. Genetic sexing provided a critical reference, highlighting misclassifications in morphological assessments, particularly among genetic males.</p><p>Burial assemblage analysis indicates that gender expression often corresponded with biological sex but varied with age. Female graves typically included dress items such as brooches and pendants, especially after adolescence, while male graves more frequently featured tools and weapons. These patterns suggest that gendered roles and identities were materially expressed and changed over the life course.</p><p>The findings underscore the importance of a multi-method approach in sex estimation, particularly for children, and demonstrate the value of contextual archeological analysis in interpreting past identities. At Ihre, the interplay between sex, gender, and social identity in mortuary practices suggests a framework that, while broadly organized around binary distinctions, was shaped by age and culturally specific factors—highlighting identity as dynamic, layered, and context-dependent.</p></content:encoded> <dc:creator>Marieke Ivarsson‐Aalders, Maja Krzewińska, Ellen Karlsson, Anders Götherström, Anna Kjellström</dc:creator> <category>RESEARCH ARTICLE</category> <dc:title>Beyond the Binary? A Multi‐Method Approach to Sexing Children at the Viking Age Site of Ihre, Gotland</dc:title> <dc:identifier>10.1002/oa.70016</dc:identifier> <prism:publicationName>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology</prism:publicationName> <prism:doi>10.1002/oa.70016</prism:doi> <prism:url>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.70016?af=R</prism:url> <prism:section>RESEARCH ARTICLE</prism:section> <prism:volume>35</prism:volume> <prism:number>5</prism:number> </item> <item> <link>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.70025?af=R</link> <pubDate>Mon, 20 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate> <dc:date>2025-10-20T12:00:00-07:00</dc:date> <source url="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10991212?af=R">Wiley: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology: Table of Contents</source> <prism:coverDate>Mon, 01 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDate> <prism:coverDisplayDate>Mon, 01 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDisplayDate> <guid isPermaLink="false">10.1002/oa.70025</guid> <title>Domestic Cattle (Bos taurus) Late Neolithic Burial at Krzczonowice, the Greater Trochanter of Femur Lesion</title> <description>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, Volume 35, Issue 5, Page 315-325, September/October 2025. </description> <dc:description>ABSTRACTA domestic cattle skeleton was found in a pit at the archeological site Krzczonowice 63 (Sandomierz Upland, Poland) and was interpreted as sacrificial in nature on the basis of the archeological context. It was dated to the Late Neolithic period (Globular Amphora Culture). The right femur displays pathological lesions in the form of loss of the apical part of the greater trochanter. These were subjected to macroscopic examination, computed tomography imaging, histological analysis, and differential diagnosis. The computed tomography revealed the presence of a well‐defined irregular area of hyperdensity within the medullary cavity of the femoral neck. Histological analysis of the bone tissue surrounding the lesion showed a well‐mineralized extracellular matrix with changes in the lamellae of the compact bone and cortical bone thinning, and also showed there to be a lack of organized structure of the osteons. The structure of the bone was more comparable to the woven‐like bone tissue matrix. Our conclusion is that the lesion seems to be the result of a lytic process of the bone tissue, most likely a cattle bone lesion caused by an infection. The location, possible pathogenesis, anatomy, and CT image make traumatic lesions, osteomyelitis, osteitis, and bone neoplasma all less plausible.</dc:description> <content:encoded><h2>ABSTRACT</h2><p>A domestic cattle skeleton was found in a pit at the archeological site Krzczonowice 63 (Sandomierz Upland, Poland) and was interpreted as sacrificial in nature on the basis of the archeological context. It was dated to the Late Neolithic period (Globular Amphora Culture). The right femur displays pathological lesions in the form of loss of the apical part of the greater trochanter. These were subjected to macroscopic examination, computed tomography imaging, histological analysis, and differential diagnosis. The computed tomography revealed the presence of a well-defined irregular area of hyperdensity within the medullary cavity of the femoral neck. Histological analysis of the bone tissue surrounding the lesion showed a well-mineralized extracellular matrix with changes in the lamellae of the compact bone and cortical bone thinning, and also showed there to be a lack of organized structure of the osteons. The structure of the bone was more comparable to the woven-like bone tissue matrix. Our conclusion is that the lesion seems to be the result of a lytic process of the bone tissue, most likely a cattle bone lesion caused by an infection. The location, possible pathogenesis, anatomy, and CT image make traumatic lesions, osteomyelitis, osteitis, and bone neoplasma all less plausible.</p></content:encoded> <dc:creator>Dominik Poradowski, Artur Jedynak, Dominika Kubiak‐Nowak, Wojciech Borawski, Kamilla Pawłowska, Katarzyna Kaleta‐Kuratewicz, Joanna Wolińska, Vedat Onar, Aleksander Chrószcz</dc:creator> <category>RESEARCH ARTICLE</category> <dc:title>Domestic Cattle (Bos taurus) Late Neolithic Burial at Krzczonowice, the Greater Trochanter of Femur Lesion</dc:title> <dc:identifier>10.1002/oa.70025</dc:identifier> <prism:publicationName>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology</prism:publicationName> <prism:doi>10.1002/oa.70025</prism:doi> <prism:url>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.70025?af=R</prism:url> <prism:section>RESEARCH ARTICLE</prism:section> <prism:volume>35</prism:volume> <prism:number>5</prism:number> </item> <item> <link>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.70029?af=R</link> <pubDate>Mon, 20 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate> <dc:date>2025-10-20T12:00:00-07:00</dc:date> <source url="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10991212?af=R">Wiley: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology: Table of Contents</source> <prism:coverDate>Mon, 01 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDate> <prism:coverDisplayDate>Mon, 01 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDisplayDate> <guid isPermaLink="false">10.1002/oa.70029</guid> <title>From the Womb to the Tomb: Identifying Calving Deaths in Archaeology</title> <description>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, Volume 35, Issue 5, Page 462-472, September/October 2025. </description> <dc:description>ABSTRACTDystocia, or difficult birth, is a major cause of maternal and neonatal mortality in both human and animal populations, yet its archaeological visibility remains remarkably low. This paper explores the diagnostic potential of archaeological deposits of pregnant livestock, particularly cattle, to identify cases of calving‐related mortality. A medieval cattle burial from Téteghem in northern France provides an illustration of a fetal malposition that resulted in the death of both mother and calf due to a retained right forelimb, a fairly common accident in cattle. An avulsion fracture on the calf's left metacarpal further suggests an attempt at forced extraction, implying the calving was attended, but by persons with little obstetrical training. Although the case of Téteghem is particularly illustrative, it is not unique. Drawing on examples from prehistoric to late modern contexts, we highlight other instances of fetal malpresentation, suspected uterine torsion, and maternal pelvic deformity, all suggestive of fatal obstetric complications. The reasons for which such cases are underreported are then explored, and we propose a series of best‐practice recommendations for field and lab work. Ultimately, greater awareness and systematic recording of obstetric pathologies in animal burials can offer valuable insights into past animal management, veterinary knowledge, and the economic impact of reproductive loss.</dc:description> <content:encoded><h2>ABSTRACT</h2><p>Dystocia, or difficult birth, is a major cause of maternal and neonatal mortality in both human and animal populations, yet its archaeological visibility remains remarkably low. This paper explores the diagnostic potential of archaeological deposits of pregnant livestock, particularly cattle, to identify cases of calving-related mortality. A medieval cattle burial from Téteghem in northern France provides an illustration of a fetal malposition that resulted in the death of both mother and calf due to a retained right forelimb, a fairly common accident in cattle. An avulsion fracture on the calf's left metacarpal further suggests an attempt at forced extraction, implying the calving was attended, but by persons with little obstetrical training. Although the case of Téteghem is particularly illustrative, it is not unique. Drawing on examples from prehistoric to late modern contexts, we highlight other instances of fetal malpresentation, suspected uterine torsion, and maternal pelvic deformity, all suggestive of fatal obstetric complications. The reasons for which such cases are underreported are then explored, and we propose a series of best-practice recommendations for field and lab work. Ultimately, greater awareness and systematic recording of obstetric pathologies in animal burials can offer valuable insights into past animal management, veterinary knowledge, and the economic impact of reproductive loss.</p></content:encoded> <dc:creator>Annelise Binois‐Roman</dc:creator> <category>RESEARCH ARTICLE</category> <dc:title>From the Womb to the Tomb: Identifying Calving Deaths in Archaeology</dc:title> <dc:identifier>10.1002/oa.70029</dc:identifier> <prism:publicationName>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology</prism:publicationName> <prism:doi>10.1002/oa.70029</prism:doi> <prism:url>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.70029?af=R</prism:url> <prism:section>RESEARCH ARTICLE</prism:section> <prism:volume>35</prism:volume> <prism:number>5</prism:number> </item> <item> <link>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.70037?af=R</link> <pubDate>Mon, 20 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate> <dc:date>2025-10-20T12:00:00-07:00</dc:date> <source url="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10991212?af=R">Wiley: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology: Table of Contents</source> <prism:coverDate>Mon, 01 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDate> <prism:coverDisplayDate>Mon, 01 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDisplayDate> <guid isPermaLink="false">10.1002/oa.70037</guid> <title>Stable Isotopic Study on Horse Feeding Strategies in the Zhou Dynasty of Ancient China</title> <description>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, Volume 35, Issue 5, Page 473-483, September/October 2025. </description> <dc:description>ABSTRACTHorses played a crucial role in military, ritual, and labor activities in ancient China, but our knowledge of their feeding practices is mostly limited to literature records. To investigate how this important livestock was fed in the Zhou Dynasty (1046–220 bce), this study analyzed stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes of fifty bone and five tooth samples from horses discovered in Sanmenxia, Luoyang, and Zhengzhou of Henan Province. Bone isotope data from the Western Zhou period (1046–771 bce) indicate a predominance of C4 plants in the diet (δ13C = −7.6‰ ± 0.6‰, δ15N = 6.6‰ ± 0.5‰; n = 4), with millet grain and straw likely serving as supplementary fodder alongside grass. In contrast, tooth isotopic values (δ13C = −10.3‰ ± 2.9‰, δ15N = 6.2‰ ± 0.8‰; n = 5) suggest variable early‐life diets, implying that horses buried together may have originated from different pastures but were later gathered and fed a common diet at a single location for a relatively long time prior to burial. Feeding strategies shifted significantly during the following Eastern Zhou period (770–220 bce). A marked decrease in bone carbon isotope values reflects a substantial increase in C3 plant consumption (δ13C = −13.7‰ ± 2.3‰, δ15N = 6.4‰ ± 0.8‰; n = 46). Considering the archaeological context of this time period, wheat, barley, and their straw were likely incorporated into horse fodder beside wild grass. Intersite isotopic variations likely reflect diverse horse origins. Individuals interred in large pits probably derived from multiple sources, while those in smaller pits likely came from single farms. These findings provide valuable insights into the scale of horse husbandry and shift in fodder management practices, as well as the influence of the agricultural shift from millet to wheat in central China during the Zhou Dynasty.</dc:description> <content:encoded><h2>ABSTRACT</h2><p>Horses played a crucial role in military, ritual, and labor activities in ancient China, but our knowledge of their feeding practices is mostly limited to literature records. To investigate how this important livestock was fed in the Zhou Dynasty (1046–220 <span class="smallCaps">bce</span>), this study analyzed stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes of fifty bone and five tooth samples from horses discovered in Sanmenxia, Luoyang, and Zhengzhou of Henan Province. Bone isotope data from the Western Zhou period (1046–771 <span class="smallCaps">bce</span>) indicate a predominance of C<sub>4</sub> plants in the diet (<i>δ</i><sup>13</sup>C = −7.6‰ ± 0.6‰, <i>δ</i><sup>15</sup>N = 6.6‰ ± 0.5‰; <i>n</i> = 4), with millet grain and straw likely serving as supplementary fodder alongside grass. In contrast, tooth isotopic values (<i>δ</i><sup>13</sup>C = −10.3‰ ± 2.9‰, <i>δ</i><sup>15</sup>N = 6.2‰ ± 0.8‰; <i>n</i> = 5) suggest variable early-life diets, implying that horses buried together may have originated from different pastures but were later gathered and fed a common diet at a single location for a relatively long time prior to burial. Feeding strategies shifted significantly during the following Eastern Zhou period (770–220 <span class="smallCaps">bce</span>). A marked decrease in bone carbon isotope values reflects a substantial increase in C<sub>3</sub> plant consumption (<i>δ</i><sup>13</sup>C = −13.7‰ ± 2.3‰, <i>δ</i><sup>15</sup>N = 6.4‰ ± 0.8‰; <i>n</i> = 46). Considering the archaeological context of this time period, wheat, barley, and their straw were likely incorporated into horse fodder beside wild grass. Intersite isotopic variations likely reflect diverse horse origins. Individuals interred in large pits probably derived from multiple sources, while those in smaller pits likely came from single farms. These findings provide valuable insights into the scale of horse husbandry and shift in fodder management practices, as well as the influence of the agricultural shift from millet to wheat in central China during the Zhou Dynasty.</p></content:encoded> <dc:creator>Yanfeng Hou, Weiwei Han, Jinping Cao, Ligang Zhou</dc:creator> <category>RESEARCH ARTICLE</category> <dc:title>Stable Isotopic Study on Horse Feeding Strategies in the Zhou Dynasty of Ancient China</dc:title> <dc:identifier>10.1002/oa.70037</dc:identifier> <prism:publicationName>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology</prism:publicationName> <prism:doi>10.1002/oa.70037</prism:doi> <prism:url>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.70037?af=R</prism:url> <prism:section>RESEARCH ARTICLE</prism:section> <prism:volume>35</prism:volume> <prism:number>5</prism:number> </item> <item> <link>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.70017?af=R</link> <pubDate>Mon, 20 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate> <dc:date>2025-10-20T12:00:00-07:00</dc:date> <source url="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10991212?af=R">Wiley: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology: Table of Contents</source> <prism:coverDate>Mon, 01 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDate> <prism:coverDisplayDate>Mon, 01 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDisplayDate> <guid isPermaLink="false">10.1002/oa.70017</guid> <title>Demographic Composition and Pathology of the Human Occupants and Sacrificial Victims at Ancient Korean Tombs</title> <description>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, Volume 35, Issue 5, Page 210-220, September/October 2025. </description> <dc:description>ABSTRACTArchaeological evidence demonstrates that mortuary practices involving human sacrifice, known in Korea as sunjang, were conducted in ancient Korea. However, few studies have examined the biological attributes of individuals associated with this practice to explore the relationship between sacrificial victims and principal tomb occupants or to clarify their social roles within the contemporary society. This study examines human skeletal remains excavated from the Imdang Burial Complex, one of the best‐preserved sunjang tomb sites from the Three Kingdoms period (ca. 1st century bce to 668 ce), notable for its large‐scale preservation of both principal tomb occupants and sacrificial victims. Through detailed osteological analysis, we investigate the demographic and pathological profiles of individuals interred at the site. Individuals were classified as principal tomb occupants or sacrificial victims based on archaeological evidence, and biological sex and age‐at‐death were estimated to identify demographic trends within each group. Pathological markers were analyzed to evaluate potential differences in health status between groups. Results indicate no significant difference in the sex composition between the two groups; however, female sacrificial victims were more often interred within the main burial chamber alongside the tomb occupant. Sacrificial victims in the main chamber were generally older than those in the subsidiary chambers, and a positive correlation existed between the age of the tomb occupant and the number of sacrificial victims. Although no significant differences were found in the frequency or severity of pathological indicators between groups, pathology scores were positively correlated with skeletal preservation quality, underscoring the need for caution when interpreting pathological data from poorly preserved remains. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of ancient Korean mortuary practices by elucidating the biological aspect of the individuals associated with the sunjang practice.</dc:description> <content:encoded><h2>ABSTRACT</h2><p>Archaeological evidence demonstrates that mortuary practices involving human sacrifice, known in Korea as <i>sunjang</i>, were conducted in ancient Korea. However, few studies have examined the biological attributes of individuals associated with this practice to explore the relationship between sacrificial victims and principal tomb occupants or to clarify their social roles within the contemporary society. This study examines human skeletal remains excavated from the Imdang Burial Complex, one of the best-preserved <i>sunjang</i> tomb sites from the Three Kingdoms period (<i>ca</i>. 1st century <span class="smallCaps">bce</span> to 668 <span class="smallCaps">ce</span>), notable for its large-scale preservation of both principal tomb occupants and sacrificial victims. Through detailed osteological analysis, we investigate the demographic and pathological profiles of individuals interred at the site. Individuals were classified as principal tomb occupants or sacrificial victims based on archaeological evidence, and biological sex and age-at-death were estimated to identify demographic trends within each group. Pathological markers were analyzed to evaluate potential differences in health status between groups. Results indicate no significant difference in the sex composition between the two groups; however, female sacrificial victims were more often interred within the main burial chamber alongside the tomb occupant. Sacrificial victims in the main chamber were generally older than those in the subsidiary chambers, and a positive correlation existed between the age of the tomb occupant and the number of sacrificial victims. Although no significant differences were found in the frequency or severity of pathological indicators between groups, pathology scores were positively correlated with skeletal preservation quality, underscoring the need for caution when interpreting pathological data from poorly preserved remains. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of ancient Korean mortuary practices by elucidating the biological aspect of the individuals associated with the <i>sunjang</i> practice.</p></content:encoded> <dc:creator>Eun Jin Woo, Yangseung Jeong, Daewook Kim, Minwoo Seo</dc:creator> <category>RESEARCH ARTICLE</category> <dc:title>Demographic Composition and Pathology of the Human Occupants and Sacrificial Victims at Ancient Korean Tombs</dc:title> <dc:identifier>10.1002/oa.70017</dc:identifier> <prism:publicationName>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology</prism:publicationName> <prism:doi>10.1002/oa.70017</prism:doi> <prism:url>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.70017?af=R</prism:url> <prism:section>RESEARCH ARTICLE</prism:section> <prism:volume>35</prism:volume> <prism:number>5</prism:number> </item> <item> <link>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.70018?af=R</link> <pubDate>Mon, 20 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate> <dc:date>2025-10-20T12:00:00-07:00</dc:date> <source url="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10991212?af=R">Wiley: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology: Table of Contents</source> <prism:coverDate>Mon, 01 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDate> <prism:coverDisplayDate>Mon, 01 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDisplayDate> <guid isPermaLink="false">10.1002/oa.70018</guid> <title>The Introduction of Chickens Into Norway and Their Early Use: New Evidence From the Borgund Kaupang</title> <description>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, Volume 35, Issue 5, Page 221-232, September/October 2025. </description> <dc:description>ABSTRACTChickens reached areas of northern Europe by the 6th to 5th century bce, but their dispersal into Scandinavia appears delayed. Here we present a thorough assessment of chicken remains recovered from Borgund, a deserted late Viking Age–Medieval urban site located near Ålesund on the west coast of Norway. Direct and indirect dating of 20 chicken bones gives an age range from the Viking Age to the boundary between the High and Late Medieval. The Borgund chickens thus include some of the earliest evidence for chicken‐keeping in Norway. The absence of juveniles indicates that chickens were kept for secondary products, such as eggs and feathers, and societal reasons rather than just meat. This is in line with data on chickens from Medieval Norway. The low percentage of chickens in comparison to other domestic species indicates chickens were not a vital part of the day‐to‐day diet of the people of Borgund. The chickens here represent the earliest unambiguous record for the west coast and second earliest for Norway, indicating a Viking Age introduction. The existence of Viking Age trading networks with northwestern Norway and Denmark suggests that chickens may have been introduced to Borgund through this route. Alternatively, chickens may have been first introduced in southern Norway via a separate Viking Age network and then spread from there. The route through which chickens came to Borgund remains unclear.</dc:description> <content:encoded><h2>ABSTRACT</h2><p>Chickens reached areas of northern Europe by the 6th to 5th century <span class="smallCaps">bce</span>, but their dispersal into Scandinavia appears delayed. Here we present a thorough assessment of chicken remains recovered from Borgund, a deserted late Viking Age–Medieval urban site located near Ålesund on the west coast of Norway. Direct and indirect dating of 20 chicken bones gives an age range from the Viking Age to the boundary between the High and Late Medieval. The Borgund chickens thus include some of the earliest evidence for chicken-keeping in Norway. The absence of juveniles indicates that chickens were kept for secondary products, such as eggs and feathers, and societal reasons rather than just meat. This is in line with data on chickens from Medieval Norway. The low percentage of chickens in comparison to other domestic species indicates chickens were not a vital part of the day-to-day diet of the people of Borgund. The chickens here represent the earliest unambiguous record for the west coast and second earliest for Norway, indicating a Viking Age introduction. The existence of Viking Age trading networks with northwestern Norway and Denmark suggests that chickens may have been introduced to Borgund through this route. Alternatively, chickens may have been first introduced in southern Norway via a separate Viking Age network and then spread from there. The route through which chickens came to Borgund remains unclear.</p></content:encoded> <dc:creator>Samuel J. Walker, Hanneke J. M. Meijer, Julia Best, Gitte Hansen</dc:creator> <category>RESEARCH ARTICLE</category> <dc:title>The Introduction of Chickens Into Norway and Their Early Use: New Evidence From the Borgund Kaupang</dc:title> <dc:identifier>10.1002/oa.70018</dc:identifier> <prism:publicationName>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology</prism:publicationName> <prism:doi>10.1002/oa.70018</prism:doi> <prism:url>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.70018?af=R</prism:url> <prism:section>RESEARCH ARTICLE</prism:section> <prism:volume>35</prism:volume> <prism:number>5</prism:number> </item> <item> <link>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.70019?af=R</link> <pubDate>Mon, 20 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate> <dc:date>2025-10-20T12:00:00-07:00</dc:date> <source url="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10991212?af=R">Wiley: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology: Table of Contents</source> <prism:coverDate>Mon, 01 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDate> <prism:coverDisplayDate>Mon, 01 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDisplayDate> <guid isPermaLink="false">10.1002/oa.70019</guid> <title>The Impact of Age and Biometric Parameters on Metapodial Bone Measurements of the Desert Sheep Breed “Sidahou” (Ovis aries L., 1758): A New Baseline for Zooarchaeological Research and Historical Livestock Management in Central and North Africa</title> <description>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, Volume 35, Issue 5, Page 295-305, September/October 2025. </description> <dc:description>ABSTRACTAs part of archaeozoological research aimed at refining the interpretation of skeletal remains, this study presents an initial osteomorphometric approach to the Sidahou sheep breed, native to the Central and Northern African desert. A total of 60 right metapodial bones (30 metacarpals and 30 metatarsals) from female sheep raised in Mali and slaughtered in Algeria (Tamanrasset region) were analyzed. Seven linear measurements were taken from each bone, allowing the calculation of three gracility indices. The results show no significant differences between young adults (12–24 months) and individuals over 30 months (p > 0.05), suggesting early maturation in Sidahou females. These females reach their adult form at 2 years of age, after which the epiphyses of the cannon bones fuse, marking the end of growth. The morphometric analysis also reveals marked gracility (d/GL indices between 7% and 8%) and unusual elongation of the bones (GL ≈ 158.9 mm for the metacarpals and 169.4 mm for the metatarsals). The metapodial morphology of the Sidahou sheep closely resembles that of ancient forms, minimally affected by artificial selection, making it a relevant reference model for comparisons with archaeological sheep populations. Finally, regression equations were developed to estimate the withers height (e.g., HG = 3.22251 + 0.47941 × GL), thereby enriching the tools for archaeozoological analysis.</dc:description> <content:encoded><h2>ABSTRACT</h2><p>As part of archaeozoological research aimed at refining the interpretation of skeletal remains, this study presents an initial osteomorphometric approach to the Sidahou sheep breed, native to the Central and Northern African desert. A total of 60 right metapodial bones (30 metacarpals and 30 metatarsals) from female sheep raised in Mali and slaughtered in Algeria (Tamanrasset region) were analyzed. Seven linear measurements were taken from each bone, allowing the calculation of three gracility indices. The results show no significant differences between young adults (12–24 months) and individuals over 30 months (<i>p</i> &gt; 0.05), suggesting early maturation in Sidahou females. These females reach their adult form at 2 years of age, after which the epiphyses of the cannon bones fuse, marking the end of growth. The morphometric analysis also reveals marked gracility (d/GL indices between 7% and 8%) and unusual elongation of the bones (GL ≈ 158.9 mm for the metacarpals and 169.4 mm for the metatarsals). The metapodial morphology of the Sidahou sheep closely resembles that of ancient forms, minimally affected by artificial selection, making it a relevant reference model for comparisons with archaeological sheep populations. Finally, regression equations were developed to estimate the withers height (e.g., HG = 3.22251 + 0.47941 × GL), thereby enriching the tools for archaeozoological analysis.</p></content:encoded> <dc:creator>Ami Kenza, Bennoune Omar, Khammar Hichem, Chaffai Amin, Benacherine Mostefa, Abdassamed Amina</dc:creator> <category>RESEARCH ARTICLE</category> <dc:title>The Impact of Age and Biometric Parameters on Metapodial Bone Measurements of the Desert Sheep Breed “Sidahou” (Ovis aries L., 1758): A New Baseline for Zooarchaeological Research and Historical Livestock Management in Central and North Africa</dc:title> <dc:identifier>10.1002/oa.70019</dc:identifier> <prism:publicationName>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology</prism:publicationName> <prism:doi>10.1002/oa.70019</prism:doi> <prism:url>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.70019?af=R</prism:url> <prism:section>RESEARCH ARTICLE</prism:section> <prism:volume>35</prism:volume> <prism:number>5</prism:number> </item> <item> <link>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.70020?af=R</link> <pubDate>Mon, 20 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate> <dc:date>2025-10-20T12:00:00-07:00</dc:date> <source url="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10991212?af=R">Wiley: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology: Table of Contents</source> <prism:coverDate>Mon, 01 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDate> <prism:coverDisplayDate>Mon, 01 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDisplayDate> <guid isPermaLink="false">10.1002/oa.70020</guid> <title>Cuon Versus Canis: A Comparative Guide to the Morphological Distinction of Postcranial Bones and Its Archaeo‐Paleontological Implications</title> <description>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, Volume 35, Issue 5, Page 263-283, September/October 2025. </description> <dc:description>ABSTRACTThe genera Cuon and Canis are part of the carnivore guild during the late Middle and Late Pleistocene in Europe. However, most identifications in archaeo‐palaeontological contexts are made on cranial and dental elements as these are taxonomically the most diagnostic anatomical regions. In contrast, taxonomical identifications of postcranial remains are scarce and often based on metric criteria because of their morphological similarity between the two taxa. This is one of the main causes of the low level of visibility of Cuon in the fossil record. Therefore, to partially solve this problem, this study presents a comparative analysis of the postcranial anatomy of extant and fossil Cuon and Canis, tested on several modern referential and fossil assemblages, as a morphological guide for a more precise determination of these canid genera in archaeo‐palaeontological assemblages. The application of this comparative guide on Pleistocene large canid assemblage results in an increase in the identification to genus level. Therefore, this work is a useful tool for the identification of Cuon remains, which enhances the visibility of this genus in the European fossil record and provides new opportunities to advance in the understanding of its anatomy and its variation.</dc:description> <content:encoded><h2>ABSTRACT</h2><p>The genera <i>Cuon</i> and <i>Canis</i> are part of the carnivore guild during the late Middle and Late Pleistocene in Europe. However, most identifications in archaeo-palaeontological contexts are made on cranial and dental elements as these are taxonomically the most diagnostic anatomical regions. In contrast, taxonomical identifications of postcranial remains are scarce and often based on metric criteria because of their morphological similarity between the two taxa. This is one of the main causes of the low level of visibility of <i>Cuon</i> in the fossil record. Therefore, to partially solve this problem, this study presents a comparative analysis of the postcranial anatomy of extant and fossil <i>Cuon</i> and <i>Canis</i>, tested on several modern referential and fossil assemblages, as a morphological guide for a more precise determination of these canid genera in archaeo-palaeontological assemblages. The application of this comparative guide on Pleistocene large canid assemblage results in an increase in the identification to genus level. Therefore, this work is a useful tool for the identification of <i>Cuon</i> remains, which enhances the visibility of this genus in the European fossil record and provides new opportunities to advance in the understanding of its anatomy and its variation.</p></content:encoded> <dc:creator>Alfred Sanchis, Jean Philip Brugal, Leopoldo Pérez, Cristina Real, Asier Gómez‐Olivencia, Elsa Duarte, Marco de la Rasilla, Francisco Pastor, Valentín Villaverde, Manuel Pérez Ripoll</dc:creator> <category>METHODS AND TOOLS</category> <dc:title>Cuon Versus Canis: A Comparative Guide to the Morphological Distinction of Postcranial Bones and Its Archaeo‐Paleontological Implications</dc:title> <dc:identifier>10.1002/oa.70020</dc:identifier> <prism:publicationName>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology</prism:publicationName> <prism:doi>10.1002/oa.70020</prism:doi> <prism:url>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.70020?af=R</prism:url> <prism:section>METHODS AND TOOLS</prism:section> <prism:volume>35</prism:volume> <prism:number>5</prism:number> </item> <item> <link>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.70022?af=R</link> <pubDate>Mon, 20 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate> <dc:date>2025-10-20T12:00:00-07:00</dc:date> <source url="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10991212?af=R">Wiley: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology: Table of Contents</source> <prism:coverDate>Mon, 01 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDate> <prism:coverDisplayDate>Mon, 01 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDisplayDate> <guid isPermaLink="false">10.1002/oa.70022</guid> <title>Anthropological, Pathological, and Historical Analyses of a Mummified Cranium From Bolivia Hosted in the Museum of Cantonal Archaeology and History of Lausanne, Switzerland</title> <description>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, Volume 35, Issue 5, Page 365-374, September/October 2025. </description> <dc:description>ABSTRACTThe past decade has seen a worldwide tendency to re‐examine human remains found in old museum collections. These studies look at the provenance of the remains, the way they ended up in specific collections, the context from which they are likely issued, and all the parameters implicated in their current presence in museum custody. Whenever human remains are involved, to obtain a full picture of the life history of the individuals under consideration, an anthropological study might be mandated, although this approach is not yet systematic.This was the case for individual I Y‐001 from the Museum of Cantonal Archaeology and History of Lausanne, Switzerland. During the provenance analyses conducted, this individual, represented by a naturally mummified cranium and neck, underwent a taphonomical and anthropological assessment, supported by a CT scan. Our findings show that I Y‐001, an adult man, underwent an attempted trepanation before his death. He suffered from an abscess in his maxilla, and his remains were naturally mummified due to exposure to a dry and cold climate.These findings are in line with the alleged origin of the remains, which were reportedly taken from an archaeological ruin by a Swiss entrepreneur, Louis Kuffré (1840–1912), in the late 1800s –early 1900s, in present‐day Bolivia. At the time, sending human remains back to European museums was common practice, as attested by written exchanges between collectors and anthropologists.By investigating the collection's archives, through anthropological and historical analysis, and reconstituting both the biography of the collector and the life history of individual I Y‐001, we are able to contextualize the remains, give them back their rightful history, and envisage their future preservation with a sound understanding of the known and unknowns of them.</dc:description> <content:encoded><h2>ABSTRACT</h2><p>The past decade has seen a worldwide tendency to re-examine human remains found in old museum collections. These studies look at the provenance of the remains, the way they ended up in specific collections, the context from which they are likely issued, and all the parameters implicated in their current presence in museum custody. Whenever human remains are involved, to obtain a full picture of the life history of the individuals under consideration, an anthropological study might be mandated, although this approach is not yet systematic.</p><p>This was the case for individual I Y-001 from the Museum of Cantonal Archaeology and History of Lausanne, Switzerland. During the provenance analyses conducted, this individual, represented by a naturally mummified cranium and neck, underwent a taphonomical and anthropological assessment, supported by a CT scan. Our findings show that I Y-001, an adult man, underwent an attempted trepanation before his death. He suffered from an abscess in his maxilla, and his remains were naturally mummified due to exposure to a dry and cold climate.</p><p>These findings are in line with the alleged origin of the remains, which were reportedly taken from an archaeological ruin by a Swiss entrepreneur, Louis Kuffré (1840–1912), in the late 1800s –early 1900s, in present-day Bolivia. At the time, sending human remains back to European museums was common practice, as attested by written exchanges between collectors and anthropologists.</p><p>By investigating the collection's archives, through anthropological and historical analysis, and reconstituting both the biography of the collector and the life history of individual I Y-001, we are able to contextualize the remains, give them back their rightful history, and envisage their future preservation with a sound understanding of the known and unknowns of them.</p></content:encoded> <dc:creator>Abegg Claudine, Kammermann Sabine, Magnin Virginie, Brizon Claire</dc:creator> <category>RESEARCH ARTICLE</category> <dc:title>Anthropological, Pathological, and Historical Analyses of a Mummified Cranium From Bolivia Hosted in the Museum of Cantonal Archaeology and History of Lausanne, Switzerland</dc:title> <dc:identifier>10.1002/oa.70022</dc:identifier> <prism:publicationName>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology</prism:publicationName> <prism:doi>10.1002/oa.70022</prism:doi> <prism:url>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.70022?af=R</prism:url> <prism:section>RESEARCH ARTICLE</prism:section> <prism:volume>35</prism:volume> <prism:number>5</prism:number> </item> <item> <link>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.70026?af=R</link> <pubDate>Mon, 20 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate> <dc:date>2025-10-20T12:00:00-07:00</dc:date> <source url="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10991212?af=R">Wiley: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology: Table of Contents</source> <prism:coverDate>Mon, 01 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDate> <prism:coverDisplayDate>Mon, 01 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDisplayDate> <guid isPermaLink="false">10.1002/oa.70026</guid> <title>First Identification of Bone Whistle‐Use in Dynastic Egypt</title> <description>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, Volume 35, Issue 5, Page 401-412, September/October 2025. </description> <dc:description>ABSTRACTDespite over 200 years of intensive academic interest in Pharaonic Egypt, little focus has been given to understanding the production, use, and diversity of the osseous material culture created by this enigmatic culture. Here, the authors present the identification of a bone whistle recovered from the Eighteenth Dynasty (late 14th century bc) city of Akhetaten (modern Amarna), Middle Egypt. Found at the Stone Village, a peripheral workers' settlement, this object fits with ideas that this community was heavily policed because of their proximity to the royal cemetery and likely connection to work on the royal tombs. Significantly, this object is the first of its kind identified in a dynastic context and demonstrates the potential insights that wait to be gained from intensive examination of Egypt's osseous technologies.</dc:description> <content:encoded><h2>ABSTRACT</h2><p>Despite over 200 years of intensive academic interest in Pharaonic Egypt, little focus has been given to understanding the production, use, and diversity of the osseous material culture created by this enigmatic culture. Here, the authors present the identification of a bone whistle recovered from the Eighteenth Dynasty (late 14<sup>th</sup> century <span class="smallCaps">bc</span>) city of Akhetaten (modern Amarna), Middle Egypt. Found at the Stone Village, a peripheral workers' settlement, this object fits with ideas that this community was heavily policed because of their proximity to the royal cemetery and likely connection to work on the royal tombs. Significantly, this object is the first of its kind identified in a dynastic context and demonstrates the potential insights that wait to be gained from intensive examination of Egypt's osseous technologies.</p></content:encoded> <dc:creator>Michelle C. Langley, Anna Stevens, Christopher Stimpson</dc:creator> <category>RESEARCH ARTICLE</category> <dc:title>First Identification of Bone Whistle‐Use in Dynastic Egypt</dc:title> <dc:identifier>10.1002/oa.70026</dc:identifier> <prism:publicationName>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology</prism:publicationName> <prism:doi>10.1002/oa.70026</prism:doi> <prism:url>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.70026?af=R</prism:url> <prism:section>RESEARCH ARTICLE</prism:section> <prism:volume>35</prism:volume> <prism:number>5</prism:number> </item> <item> <link>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.70027?af=R</link> <pubDate>Mon, 20 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate> <dc:date>2025-10-20T12:00:00-07:00</dc:date> <source url="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10991212?af=R">Wiley: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology: Table of Contents</source> <prism:coverDate>Mon, 01 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDate> <prism:coverDisplayDate>Mon, 01 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDisplayDate> <guid isPermaLink="false">10.1002/oa.70027</guid> <title>Exploring the Possibility of Successive Breeding of Chickens in the Yayoi Culture, Japan</title> <description>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, Volume 35, Issue 5, Page 392-400, September/October 2025. </description> <dc:description>ABSTRACTChickens are domestic animals whose main ancestor is the red junglefowl (Gallus gallus), and their natural habitat is Southeast Asia and Southern China. Domestic chickens were brought to the Japanese archipelago by the middle of the Yayoi period (4th–3rd bce). Research on chicken sexual dimorphism shows that Yayoi‐era (10th bce–3rd ce) birds were mostly male, hindering widespread breeding across Japan. In the 2011 research area at the Karakami site in Iki City, Nagasaki Prefecture, 18 Phasianidae bones were identified in a large ditch estimated to have been buried in the late Yayoi period. Although the tarsometatarsus and tibiotarsus were found to belong to chickens based on their morphological characteristics, it was impossible to determine whether the other bones, including the four juvenile bones, were derived from chickens. In our previous study, we established a method to distinguish between the bones of Japanese wild pheasants and chickens by using collagen peptide fingerprinting (ZooMS). In this study, we conducted ZooMS species identification of zooarchaeological bird remains and determined the sex of chicken remains in Karakami. We found six mature Phasianidae remains belonging to chickens, five of which were assumed to be males based on their sexual dimorphism. However, all five immature bird bones, including the three previously identified Phasianidae bones, were not derived from either chickens or Galliformes. These results do not support successful breeding of chickens at the Karakami site. Chickens were thought to have been brought to the Japanese archipelago from the Korean Peninsula through Iki Island. Further studies must determine when chickens were introduced to Iki Island and whether they included both males and females during their earliest introduction to Iki Island and the Japanese archipelago.</dc:description> <content:encoded><h2>ABSTRACT</h2><p>Chickens are domestic animals whose main ancestor is the red junglefowl (<i>Gallus gallus</i>), and their natural habitat is Southeast Asia and Southern China. Domestic chickens were brought to the Japanese archipelago by the middle of the Yayoi period (4th–3rd <span class="smallCaps">bce</span>). Research on chicken sexual dimorphism shows that Yayoi-era (10th <span class="smallCaps">bce</span>–3rd <span class="smallCaps">ce</span>) birds were mostly male, hindering widespread breeding across Japan. In the 2011 research area at the Karakami site in Iki City, Nagasaki Prefecture, 18 Phasianidae bones were identified in a large ditch estimated to have been buried in the late Yayoi period. Although the tarsometatarsus and tibiotarsus were found to belong to chickens based on their morphological characteristics, it was impossible to determine whether the other bones, including the four juvenile bones, were derived from chickens. In our previous study, we established a method to distinguish between the bones of Japanese wild pheasants and chickens by using collagen peptide fingerprinting (ZooMS). In this study, we conducted ZooMS species identification of zooarchaeological bird remains and determined the sex of chicken remains in Karakami. We found six mature Phasianidae remains belonging to chickens, five of which were assumed to be males based on their sexual dimorphism. However, all five immature bird bones, including the three previously identified Phasianidae bones, were not derived from either chickens or Galliformes. These results do not support successful breeding of chickens at the Karakami site. Chickens were thought to have been brought to the Japanese archipelago from the Korean Peninsula through Iki Island. Further studies must determine when chickens were introduced to Iki Island and whether they included both males and females during their earliest introduction to Iki Island and the Japanese archipelago.</p></content:encoded> <dc:creator>Masaki Eda, Hiroe Izumi, Yuji Matsumi</dc:creator> <category>RESEARCH ARTICLE</category> <dc:title>Exploring the Possibility of Successive Breeding of Chickens in the Yayoi Culture, Japan</dc:title> <dc:identifier>10.1002/oa.70027</dc:identifier> <prism:publicationName>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology</prism:publicationName> <prism:doi>10.1002/oa.70027</prism:doi> <prism:url>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.70027?af=R</prism:url> <prism:section>RESEARCH ARTICLE</prism:section> <prism:volume>35</prism:volume> <prism:number>5</prism:number> </item> <item> <link>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.70028?af=R</link> <pubDate>Mon, 20 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate> <dc:date>2025-10-20T12:00:00-07:00</dc:date> <source url="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10991212?af=R">Wiley: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology: Table of Contents</source> <prism:coverDate>Mon, 01 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDate> <prism:coverDisplayDate>Mon, 01 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDisplayDate> <guid isPermaLink="false">10.1002/oa.70028</guid> <title>Dietary Tendencies Between Social and Religious Groups in Vilnius During the 13th–18th Centuries</title> <description>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, Volume 35, Issue 5, Page 326-340, September/October 2025. </description> <dc:description>ABSTRACTThis study examined the dietary tendencies of individuals from Vilnius, Lithuania, between the 13th and 18th centuries using stable isotope analysis of carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N). Combining newly obtained stable isotope data with previously published data, 238 bulk collagen samples were analyzed, representing individuals from diverse socioeconomic and religious backgrounds. Statistical analyses, including one‐way ANOVA and univariate linear regression models, were applied to assess diachronic trends and dietary differences among social and religious groups. The results indicated a significant increase in δ15N values over time, suggesting a shift in dietary practices possibly influenced by economic, environmental, and cultural factors. This pattern likely reflected greater reliance on higher‐trophic‐level protein foods, such as freshwater fish or terrestrial animal products, along with likely manured crops. Additionally, differences among individuals of varying socioeconomic status suggested disparities in food access, with higher‐status individuals exhibiting increased δ15N values indicative of a protein‐rich diet. In contrast, lower‐status individuals may have consumed more plant‐based or lower‐trophic‐level foods. Dietary choices may have also been influenced by confession, as Protestants, Catholics, and Orthodox Christians exhibited distinct isotopic signatures, likely reflecting fasting traditions and dietary restrictions. These findings provide a better understanding of dietary variation in historical Vilnius, demonstrating how social, economic, and religious differences were reflected in the diet. By linking stable isotope data with historical and archaeological contexts, this study contributed to the growing research on past dietary practices in Late Medieval and Early Modern urban contexts.</dc:description> <content:encoded><h2>ABSTRACT</h2><p>This study examined the dietary tendencies of individuals from Vilnius, Lithuania, between the 13th and 18th centuries using stable isotope analysis of carbon (δ<sup>13</sup>C) and nitrogen (δ<sup>15</sup>N). Combining newly obtained stable isotope data with previously published data, 238 bulk collagen samples were analyzed, representing individuals from diverse socioeconomic and religious backgrounds. Statistical analyses, including one-way ANOVA and univariate linear regression models, were applied to assess diachronic trends and dietary differences among social and religious groups. The results indicated a significant increase in δ<sup>15</sup>N values over time, suggesting a shift in dietary practices possibly influenced by economic, environmental, and cultural factors. This pattern likely reflected greater reliance on higher-trophic-level protein foods, such as freshwater fish or terrestrial animal products, along with likely manured crops. Additionally, differences among individuals of varying socioeconomic status suggested disparities in food access, with higher-status individuals exhibiting increased δ<sup>15</sup>N values indicative of a protein-rich diet. In contrast, lower-status individuals may have consumed more plant-based or lower-trophic-level foods. Dietary choices may have also been influenced by confession, as Protestants, Catholics, and Orthodox Christians exhibited distinct isotopic signatures, likely reflecting fasting traditions and dietary restrictions. These findings provide a better understanding of dietary variation in historical Vilnius, demonstrating how social, economic, and religious differences were reflected in the diet. By linking stable isotope data with historical and archaeological contexts, this study contributed to the growing research on past dietary practices in Late Medieval and Early Modern urban contexts.</p></content:encoded> <dc:creator>Rūta Brindzaitė, Giedrė Motuzaitė Matuzevičiūtė, Rytis Jonaitis, Irma Kaplūnaitė, Agnieška Rudinska, Audronė Jakaitienė, Rimantas Jankauskas</dc:creator> <category>RESEARCH ARTICLE</category> <dc:title>Dietary Tendencies Between Social and Religious Groups in Vilnius During the 13th–18th Centuries</dc:title> <dc:identifier>10.1002/oa.70028</dc:identifier> <prism:publicationName>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology</prism:publicationName> <prism:doi>10.1002/oa.70028</prism:doi> <prism:url>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.70028?af=R</prism:url> <prism:section>RESEARCH ARTICLE</prism:section> <prism:volume>35</prism:volume> <prism:number>5</prism:number> </item> <item> <link>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.70030?af=R</link> <pubDate>Mon, 20 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate> <dc:date>2025-10-20T12:00:00-07:00</dc:date> <source url="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10991212?af=R">Wiley: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology: Table of Contents</source> <prism:coverDate>Mon, 01 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDate> <prism:coverDisplayDate>Mon, 01 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDisplayDate> <guid isPermaLink="false">10.1002/oa.70030</guid> <title>Comparing Dental Microwear in the Populations at an Iron Age (c. 4010 BP) and Early Historic (c. 2600 BP) Site in South India</title> <description>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, Volume 35, Issue 5, Page 375-382, September/October 2025. </description> <dc:description>ABSTRACTDental microwear texture analysis (DMTA) has proven to be a valuable tool for separating bioarchaeological samples by subsistence practice, preferred diet, food‐processing technology, and cooking method. In this study, we compared samples of individuals from two South Indian sites—an Iron Age site (Adichchanallur, ~4010 BP, n = 27) and an Early Historical site (Keeladi, ~2600 BP, n = 31). Both samples represent farming communities that likely had broadly similar diets dominated by cultivated rice and mung beans, wild nuts and pulses, and both domesticated cattle and wild game. Moreover, the archaeological evidence indicates that both communities used mortar and pestle for food preparation and employed similar cooking technologies, as inferred from the shapes of pots found at the sites. Furthermore, the two populations exhibited cultural continuity and lived in similar ecozones. However, the earlier Adichchanallur settlement represented a town with rural features, while the later Keeladi site was more of an urban population center. We hypothesized that samples from the earlier rural population would have more complex microwear textures than the samples from a predominantly later urban population given that today urban communities in India tend to consume softer, more processed foodstuffs than rural populations, which often eat coarser, less processed food items. High‐resolution molar replicas were prepared and analyzed by DMTA. Results indicate that, contrary to expectation, individuals from the later, more urban site had significantly higher texture complexity values than did those from the earlier, more rural one. This finding confirms results of previous studies indicating that microwear signatures can distinguish bioarchaeological samples but also shows that the implications of observed differences for past lifeways can be difficult to interpret.</dc:description> <content:encoded><h2>ABSTRACT</h2><p>Dental microwear texture analysis (DMTA) has proven to be a valuable tool for separating bioarchaeological samples by subsistence practice, preferred diet, food-processing technology, and cooking method. In this study, we compared samples of individuals from two South Indian sites—an Iron Age site (Adichchanallur, ~4010 BP, <i>n</i> = 27) and an Early Historical site (Keeladi, ~2600 BP, <i>n</i> = 31). Both samples represent farming communities that likely had broadly similar diets dominated by cultivated rice and mung beans, wild nuts and pulses, and both domesticated cattle and wild game. Moreover, the archaeological evidence indicates that both communities used mortar and pestle for food preparation and employed similar cooking technologies, as inferred from the shapes of pots found at the sites. Furthermore, the two populations exhibited cultural continuity and lived in similar ecozones. However, the earlier Adichchanallur settlement represented a town with rural features, while the later Keeladi site was more of an urban population center. We hypothesized that samples from the earlier rural population would have more complex microwear textures than the samples from a predominantly later urban population given that today urban communities in India tend to consume softer, more processed foodstuffs than rural populations, which often eat coarser, less processed food items. High-resolution molar replicas were prepared and analyzed by DMTA. Results indicate that, contrary to expectation, individuals from the later, more urban site had significantly higher texture complexity values than did those from the earlier, more rural one. This finding confirms results of previous studies indicating that microwear signatures can distinguish bioarchaeological samples but also shows that the implications of observed differences for past lifeways can be difficult to interpret.</p></content:encoded> <dc:creator>Ruokuonuo Rose Yhome, K. Rajan, R. Sivanantham, M. Ramesh, R. Ajaykumar, R. Kaviya, M. Suresh, T. Arun Raj, V. P. Yathees Kumar, Peter S. Ungar</dc:creator> <category>RESEARCH ARTICLE</category> <dc:title>Comparing Dental Microwear in the Populations at an Iron Age (c. 4010 BP) and Early Historic (c. 2600 BP) Site in South India</dc:title> <dc:identifier>10.1002/oa.70030</dc:identifier> <prism:publicationName>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology</prism:publicationName> <prism:doi>10.1002/oa.70030</prism:doi> <prism:url>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.70030?af=R</prism:url> <prism:section>RESEARCH ARTICLE</prism:section> <prism:volume>35</prism:volume> <prism:number>5</prism:number> </item> <item> <link>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.70032?af=R</link> <pubDate>Mon, 20 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate> <dc:date>2025-10-20T12:00:00-07:00</dc:date> <source url="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10991212?af=R">Wiley: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology: Table of Contents</source> <prism:coverDate>Mon, 01 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDate> <prism:coverDisplayDate>Mon, 01 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDisplayDate> <guid isPermaLink="false">10.1002/oa.70032</guid> <title>Neanderthals Among Bird Accumulators on French Mediterranean Coasts: The Case of Les Ramandils Cave (Port‐la‐Nouvelle, Aude, Southern France)</title> <description>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, Volume 35, Issue 5, Page 435-452, September/October 2025. </description> <dc:description>ABSTRACTOver the last few decades, taphonomic analyses of micro‐ and mesovertebrate remains have demonstrated that the procurement of small, agile prey including birds by hominins began long before the Upper Paleolithic. It is now well established that Neanderthals exploited birds as food but also for nonedible (e.g., aesthetic, symbolic, or utilitarian) purposes. However, clarification is needed regarding the frequency of such practices in relation to the geographical and chronological framework. Les Ramandils Cave, located on the French Mediterranean coast, recorded Middle Paleolithic layers dated to MIS 5 and provided a rich archaeological assemblage that includes lithic tools, butchered faunal remains, and human bones. Hundreds of avian remains were also recovered. The aim of this paper is to determine the origin of the bird accumulation by applying commonly used zooarchaeological analysis methods to an assemblage of more than 900 unstudied bird bones, including microscopic observation of the bone surface modifications produced by any potential accumulator agent. Our results show that birds were brought inside the cave by various predators, including humans. Neanderthals exploited several families of birds for food but also for raw material collection, as suggested by cut marks located on inedible elements, among which is an ungual phalanx of a large bird of prey (accipitrid).</dc:description> <content:encoded><h2>ABSTRACT</h2><p>Over the last few decades, taphonomic analyses of micro- and mesovertebrate remains have demonstrated that the procurement of small, agile prey including birds by hominins began long before the Upper Paleolithic. It is now well established that Neanderthals exploited birds as food but also for nonedible (e.g., aesthetic, symbolic, or utilitarian) purposes. However, clarification is needed regarding the frequency of such practices in relation to the geographical and chronological framework. Les Ramandils Cave, located on the French Mediterranean coast, recorded Middle Paleolithic layers dated to MIS 5 and provided a rich archaeological assemblage that includes lithic tools, butchered faunal remains, and human bones. Hundreds of avian remains were also recovered. The aim of this paper is to determine the origin of the bird accumulation by applying commonly used zooarchaeological analysis methods to an assemblage of more than 900 unstudied bird bones, including microscopic observation of the bone surface modifications produced by any potential accumulator agent. Our results show that birds were brought inside the cave by various predators, including humans. Neanderthals exploited several families of birds for food but also for raw material collection, as suggested by cut marks located on inedible elements, among which is an ungual phalanx of a large bird of prey (accipitrid).</p></content:encoded> <dc:creator>Thomas Garcia‐Fermet</dc:creator> <category>RESEARCH ARTICLE</category> <dc:title>Neanderthals Among Bird Accumulators on French Mediterranean Coasts: The Case of Les Ramandils Cave (Port‐la‐Nouvelle, Aude, Southern France)</dc:title> <dc:identifier>10.1002/oa.70032</dc:identifier> <prism:publicationName>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology</prism:publicationName> <prism:doi>10.1002/oa.70032</prism:doi> <prism:url>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.70032?af=R</prism:url> <prism:section>RESEARCH ARTICLE</prism:section> <prism:volume>35</prism:volume> <prism:number>5</prism:number> </item> <item> <link>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.70033?af=R</link> <pubDate>Mon, 20 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate> <dc:date>2025-10-20T12:00:00-07:00</dc:date> <source url="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10991212?af=R">Wiley: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology: Table of Contents</source> <prism:coverDate>Mon, 01 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDate> <prism:coverDisplayDate>Mon, 01 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDisplayDate> <guid isPermaLink="false">10.1002/oa.70033</guid> <title>Maya Sequential Burials and Subsistence Change at the Prehispanic Site of Caledonia, Cayo District, Belize: The Radiocarbon Evidence</title> <description>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, Volume 35, Issue 5, Page 351-364, September/October 2025. </description> <dc:description>ABSTRACTFrom the Late Preclassic to Terminal Classic periods (300 bce–900 ce), the Maya people at the site of Caledonia, Cayo District, Belize, interred their dead within site architecture. Four burials containing the remains of at least 21 individuals were uncovered during excavations and were relatively dated using typologies developed from the ceramics recovered from the burial contexts. The single older adult female who may have been bundled in Burial 5 was dated to the Late Preclassic (250 bce–250 ce) and was determined to be the oldest at the site. Burial 1 contained the remains of eight adults and one child interred from the Early Classic to the beginning of the Late Classic periods (450–650 ce) and is thought to be a sequentially used family tomb. Burials 3 and 4 were both buried during the Late Classic (600–900 ce), although the latter appears to be a sequentially used family tomb like Burial 1 and the former appears to be a nonfunerary ceremonial context possibly containing the remains of bundled or secondary burials. New radiocarbon dates presented here confirm the relative chronology developed for Caledonia and reveal that Burials 1 and 4 were indeed sequentially used over several centuries. When combined with existing stable carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur isotope data, the radiocarbon dating also reveals a general decreased reliance on maize‐based protein from the limestone‐rich Vaca Plateau over time, which may be linked with climate trends and sociopolitical reorganization at the site.</dc:description> <content:encoded><h2>ABSTRACT</h2><p>From the Late Preclassic to Terminal Classic periods (300 <span class="smallCaps">bce–</span>900 <span class="smallCaps">ce</span>), the Maya people at the site of Caledonia, Cayo District, Belize, interred their dead within site architecture. Four burials containing the remains of at least 21 individuals were uncovered during excavations and were relatively dated using typologies developed from the ceramics recovered from the burial contexts. The single older adult female who may have been bundled in Burial 5 was dated to the Late Preclassic (250 <span class="smallCaps">bce–</span>250 <span class="smallCaps">ce</span>) and was determined to be the oldest at the site. Burial 1 contained the remains of eight adults and one child interred from the Early Classic to the beginning of the Late Classic periods (450–650 <span class="smallCaps">ce</span>) and is thought to be a sequentially used family tomb. Burials 3 and 4 were both buried during the Late Classic (600–900 <span class="smallCaps">ce</span>), although the latter appears to be a sequentially used family tomb like Burial 1 and the former appears to be a nonfunerary ceremonial context possibly containing the remains of bundled or secondary burials. New radiocarbon dates presented here confirm the relative chronology developed for Caledonia and reveal that Burials 1 and 4 were indeed sequentially used over several centuries. When combined with existing stable carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur isotope data, the radiocarbon dating also reveals a general decreased reliance on maize-based protein from the limestone-rich Vaca Plateau over time, which may be linked with climate trends and sociopolitical reorganization at the site.</p></content:encoded> <dc:creator>Asta J. Rand, Jan Romaniszyn, Jaime J. Awe, Julie A. Hoggarth, Richard Madgwick</dc:creator> <category>RESEARCH ARTICLE</category> <dc:title>Maya Sequential Burials and Subsistence Change at the Prehispanic Site of Caledonia, Cayo District, Belize: The Radiocarbon Evidence</dc:title> <dc:identifier>10.1002/oa.70033</dc:identifier> <prism:publicationName>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology</prism:publicationName> <prism:doi>10.1002/oa.70033</prism:doi> <prism:url>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.70033?af=R</prism:url> <prism:section>RESEARCH ARTICLE</prism:section> <prism:volume>35</prism:volume> <prism:number>5</prism:number> </item> <item> <link>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.70036?af=R</link> <pubDate>Mon, 20 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate> <dc:date>2025-10-20T12:00:00-07:00</dc:date> <source url="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10991212?af=R">Wiley: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology: Table of Contents</source> <prism:coverDate>Mon, 01 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDate> <prism:coverDisplayDate>Mon, 01 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDisplayDate> <guid isPermaLink="false">10.1002/oa.70036</guid> <title>Roman Republican Subsistence Strategies: The Case of Compartment 2 at Castelo Velho de Safara, Portugal</title> <description>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, Volume 35, Issue 5, Page 421-434, September/October 2025. </description> <dc:description>ABSTRACTThis study examines the zooarchaeological remains from Castelo Velho de Safara, southern Portugal, to explore subsistence strategies and economic practices during the Roman Republican occupation. Located on a naturally defensive platform, the site reveals a rich stratigraphic sequence spanning from the Chalcolithic to the early Roman Empire. The analysis of faunal remains recovered from Compartment 2 focuses on taxonomic identification, anatomical representation, age‐at‐death profiles, and bone surface modifications to understand the dietary habits and resource management strategies of its inhabitants. Results indicate a mixed subsistence strategy combining domestic species with significant contributions from wild animals, like red deer and rabbits. Butchery marks, fracture patterns, and burning evidence demonstrate systematic meat processing practices, while the presence of worked astragali and horn artifacts suggests cultural and functional activities beyond subsistence. These finds emphasize the role of hunting and animal husbandry in the site's economy. This study contributes to our understanding of human–environment interactions, subsistence strategies, and the cultural dynamics of militarized communities in the western Iberian Peninsula during the Roman Republican period.</dc:description> <content:encoded><h2>ABSTRACT</h2><p>This study examines the zooarchaeological remains from Castelo Velho de Safara, southern Portugal, to explore subsistence strategies and economic practices during the Roman Republican occupation. Located on a naturally defensive platform, the site reveals a rich stratigraphic sequence spanning from the Chalcolithic to the early Roman Empire. The analysis of faunal remains recovered from Compartment 2 focuses on taxonomic identification, anatomical representation, age-at-death profiles, and bone surface modifications to understand the dietary habits and resource management strategies of its inhabitants. Results indicate a mixed subsistence strategy combining domestic species with significant contributions from wild animals, like red deer and rabbits. Butchery marks, fracture patterns, and burning evidence demonstrate systematic meat processing practices, while the presence of worked astragali and horn artifacts suggests cultural and functional activities beyond subsistence. These finds emphasize the role of hunting and animal husbandry in the site's economy. This study contributes to our understanding of human–environment interactions, subsistence strategies, and the cultural dynamics of militarized communities in the western Iberian Peninsula during the Roman Republican period.</p></content:encoded> <dc:creator>Catarina Ochôa, Rui Monge Soares, Mariana Nabais</dc:creator> <category>RESEARCH ARTICLE</category> <dc:title>Roman Republican Subsistence Strategies: The Case of Compartment 2 at Castelo Velho de Safara, Portugal</dc:title> <dc:identifier>10.1002/oa.70036</dc:identifier> <prism:publicationName>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology</prism:publicationName> <prism:doi>10.1002/oa.70036</prism:doi> <prism:url>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.70036?af=R</prism:url> <prism:section>RESEARCH ARTICLE</prism:section> <prism:volume>35</prism:volume> <prism:number>5</prism:number> </item> <item> <link>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.70021?af=R</link> <pubDate>Mon, 20 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate> <dc:date>2025-10-20T12:00:00-07:00</dc:date> <source url="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10991212?af=R">Wiley: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology: Table of Contents</source> <prism:coverDate>Mon, 01 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDate> <prism:coverDisplayDate>Mon, 01 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDisplayDate> <guid isPermaLink="false">10.1002/oa.70021</guid> <title>Bone Mineral Density of Willow Ptarmigan (Lagopus lagopus) as a Potential Taphonomic Factor in Skeletal Part Attrition</title> <description>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, Volume 35, Issue 5, Page 284-294, September/October 2025. </description> <dc:description>ABSTRACTAgents of taphonomy can bias skeletal parts and the frequency of bones in archaeological sites. An important factor to consider is the possible effect of bone density‐mediated attrition on archaeornithological assemblages. We scanned willow ptarmigan (Lagopus lagopus) specimens using a Lunar iDXA and an enCcore small animal body add‐on to develop a rank‐order scheme based on the volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) of skeletal parts. Our results identified the tibiotarsus and femur to be the least dense bones, while carpometacarpus, 3rd digit, and coracoid were the densest. This novel scheme allowed us to evaluate a sample of 22 published site reports to assess the possible likelihood that vBMD influenced the occurrence of skeletal parts in the assemblages. Across open and cave‐rockshelter archaeological sites, we found 32% possibly or most likely affected by vBMD among other taphonomic factors. Our study is the first to evaluate the potential effects of L. lagopus vBMD bone density‐mediated attrition.</dc:description> <content:encoded><h2>ABSTRACT</h2><p>Agents of taphonomy can bias skeletal parts and the frequency of bones in archaeological sites. An important factor to consider is the possible effect of bone density-mediated attrition on archaeornithological assemblages. We scanned willow ptarmigan (<i>Lagopus lagopus</i>) specimens using a Lunar iDXA and an enCcore small animal body add-on to develop a rank-order scheme based on the volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) of skeletal parts. Our results identified the tibiotarsus and femur to be the least dense bones, while carpometacarpus, 3rd digit, and coracoid were the densest. This novel scheme allowed us to evaluate a sample of 22 published site reports to assess the possible likelihood that vBMD influenced the occurrence of skeletal parts in the assemblages. Across open and cave-rockshelter archaeological sites, we found 32% possibly or most likely affected by vBMD among other taphonomic factors. Our study is the first to evaluate the potential effects of <i>L. lagopus</i> vBMD bone density-mediated attrition.</p></content:encoded> <dc:creator>Frank J. Dirrigl Jr., Samuel R. Buchanan</dc:creator> <category>RESEARCH ARTICLE</category> <dc:title>Bone Mineral Density of Willow Ptarmigan (Lagopus lagopus) as a Potential Taphonomic Factor in Skeletal Part Attrition</dc:title> <dc:identifier>10.1002/oa.70021</dc:identifier> <prism:publicationName>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology</prism:publicationName> <prism:doi>10.1002/oa.70021</prism:doi> <prism:url>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.70021?af=R</prism:url> <prism:section>RESEARCH ARTICLE</prism:section> <prism:volume>35</prism:volume> <prism:number>5</prism:number> </item> <item> <link>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.70039?af=R</link> <pubDate>Mon, 20 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate> <dc:date>2025-10-20T12:00:00-07:00</dc:date> <source url="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10991212?af=R">Wiley: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology: Table of Contents</source> <prism:coverDate>Mon, 01 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDate> <prism:coverDisplayDate>Mon, 01 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDisplayDate> <guid isPermaLink="false">10.1002/oa.70039</guid> <title>Writing Osteoarchaeology Case Studies and Short Reports That Attract Attention</title> <description>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, Volume 35, Issue 5, Page 207-209, September/October 2025. </description> <dc:description/> <content:encoded/> <dc:creator>Piers D. Mitchell, Robin Bendrey</dc:creator> <category>EDITORIAL</category> <dc:title>Writing Osteoarchaeology Case Studies and Short Reports That Attract Attention</dc:title> <dc:identifier>10.1002/oa.70039</dc:identifier> <prism:publicationName>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology</prism:publicationName> <prism:doi>10.1002/oa.70039</prism:doi> <prism:url>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.70039?af=R</prism:url> <prism:section>EDITORIAL</prism:section> <prism:volume>35</prism:volume> <prism:number>5</prism:number> </item> <item> <link>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.3315?af=R</link> <pubDate>Mon, 20 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate> <dc:date>2025-10-20T12:00:00-07:00</dc:date> <source url="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10991212?af=R">Wiley: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology: Table of Contents</source> <prism:coverDate>Mon, 01 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDate> <prism:coverDisplayDate>Mon, 01 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDisplayDate> <guid isPermaLink="false">10.1002/oa.3315</guid> <title>Issue Information</title> <description>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, Volume 35, Issue 5, Page 205-206, September/October 2025. </description> <dc:description>No abstract is available for this article.</dc:description> <content:encoded><p>No abstract is available for this article.</p></content:encoded> <dc:creator/> <category>ISSUE INFORMATION</category> <dc:title>Issue Information</dc:title> <dc:identifier>10.1002/oa.3315</dc:identifier> <prism:publicationName>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology</prism:publicationName> <prism:doi>10.1002/oa.3315</prism:doi> <prism:url>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.3315?af=R</prism:url> <prism:section>ISSUE INFORMATION</prism:section> <prism:volume>35</prism:volume> <prism:number>5</prism:number> </item> <item> <link>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.70045?af=R</link> <pubDate>Mon, 20 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate> <dc:date>2025-10-20T12:00:00-07:00</dc:date> <source url="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10991212?af=R">Wiley: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology: Table of Contents</source> <prism:coverDate>Mon, 01 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDate> <prism:coverDisplayDate>Mon, 01 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDisplayDate> <guid isPermaLink="false">10.1002/oa.70045</guid> <title>Cover Image</title> <description>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, Volume 35, Issue 5, September/October 2025. </description> <dc:description>The cover image is based on the article Stable Isotopic Study on Horse Feeding Strategies in the Zhou Dynasty of Ancient China by Ligang Zhou et al., https://doi.org/10.1002/oa.70037. </dc:description> <content:encoded><img src="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/cms/asset/9c153ebf-b3ef-4841-bbd1-c48a0f105c80/oa70045-toc-0001-m.png" alt="Cover Image"/><p>The cover image is based on the article Stable Isotopic Study on Horse Feeding Strategies in the Zhou Dynasty of Ancient China by <b>Ligang Zhou</b> et al., <a target="_blank" title="Link to external resource" href="https://doi.org/10.1002/oa.70037">https://doi.org/10.1002/oa.70037</a>. </p><br/></content:encoded> <dc:creator>Yanfeng Hou, Weiwei Han, Jinping Cao, Ligang Zhou</dc:creator> <category>COVER IMAGE</category> <dc:title>Cover Image</dc:title> <dc:identifier>10.1002/oa.70045</dc:identifier> <prism:publicationName>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology</prism:publicationName> <prism:doi>10.1002/oa.70045</prism:doi> <prism:url>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.70045?af=R</prism:url> <prism:section>COVER IMAGE</prism:section> <prism:volume>35</prism:volume> <prism:number>5</prism:number> </item> <item> <link>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.70024?af=R</link> <pubDate>Mon, 20 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate> <dc:date>2025-10-20T12:00:00-07:00</dc:date> <source url="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10991212?af=R">Wiley: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology: Table of Contents</source> <prism:coverDate>Mon, 01 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDate> <prism:coverDisplayDate>Mon, 01 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDisplayDate> <guid isPermaLink="false">10.1002/oa.70024</guid> <title>The Effect of Soft Tissues in Burnt Human Skeletal Remains</title> <description>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, Volume 35, Issue 5, Page 383-391, September/October 2025. </description> <dc:description>ABSTRACTThis review investigates the potential impact of soft tissues in heat‐induced bone changes. This is relevant to assess the adequacy of heat exposure experiments carried out on bones, an increasingly popular approach. Concerns exist that experiments on dry bones might not accurately represent human remains from archaeological cremation. Therefore, a literature review of data obtained from burnt dry and fresh bones was carried out to identify potential differences in the manifestation of heat‐induced changes according to the pre‐burning condition. The literature suggests that while soft tissues can affect the timing of heat exposure, they do not fundamentally alter the bone response to heat. Warping and thumbnail fractures occur more often in bones with soft tissues but are likely related to collagen content. Color variations are more likely due to soil staining rather than the presence of soft tissues. Shrinkage is primarily due to organics and water losses and bone structural changes, while soft tissues seem to play no role in it. Mass loss may seem greater in fresh bones, but this is most probably due to prior mass loss experienced by previously inhumed dry bones. At the microstructural level, soft tissues also offer a temporary protective effect, but the bone normal response to heat seems to be resumed after that effect ends. The molecular and crystal structure, as well as the elemental composition, do not seem notably changed by the pre‐burning condition of bones. In summary, soft tissues mainly delay heat‐induced changes and do not appear to cause different bone responses. Both dry and fresh bones seem to be viable choices to experimentally study burnt skeletal remains.</dc:description> <content:encoded><h2>ABSTRACT</h2><p>This review investigates the potential impact of soft tissues in heat-induced bone changes. This is relevant to assess the adequacy of heat exposure experiments carried out on bones, an increasingly popular approach. Concerns exist that experiments on dry bones might not accurately represent human remains from archaeological cremation. Therefore, a literature review of data obtained from burnt dry and fresh bones was carried out to identify potential differences in the manifestation of heat-induced changes according to the pre-burning condition. The literature suggests that while soft tissues can affect the timing of heat exposure, they do not fundamentally alter the bone response to heat. Warping and thumbnail fractures occur more often in bones with soft tissues but are likely related to collagen content. Color variations are more likely due to soil staining rather than the presence of soft tissues. Shrinkage is primarily due to organics and water losses and bone structural changes, while soft tissues seem to play no role in it. Mass loss may seem greater in fresh bones, but this is most probably due to prior mass loss experienced by previously inhumed dry bones. At the microstructural level, soft tissues also offer a temporary protective effect, but the bone normal response to heat seems to be resumed after that effect ends. The molecular and crystal structure, as well as the elemental composition, do not seem notably changed by the pre-burning condition of bones. In summary, soft tissues mainly delay heat-induced changes and do not appear to cause different bone responses. Both dry and fresh bones seem to be viable choices to experimentally study burnt skeletal remains.</p></content:encoded> <dc:creator>David Gonçalves</dc:creator> <category>REVIEW</category> <dc:title>The Effect of Soft Tissues in Burnt Human Skeletal Remains</dc:title> <dc:identifier>10.1002/oa.70024</dc:identifier> <prism:publicationName>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology</prism:publicationName> <prism:doi>10.1002/oa.70024</prism:doi> <prism:url>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.70024?af=R</prism:url> <prism:section>REVIEW</prism:section> <prism:volume>35</prism:volume> <prism:number>5</prism:number> </item> <item> <link>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.70023?af=R</link> <pubDate>Mon, 20 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate> <dc:date>2025-10-20T12:00:00-07:00</dc:date> <source url="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10991212?af=R">Wiley: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology: Table of Contents</source> <prism:coverDate>Mon, 01 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDate> <prism:coverDisplayDate>Mon, 01 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDisplayDate> <guid isPermaLink="false">10.1002/oa.70023</guid> <title>A Probable Case of Multiple Osteochondromas With Madelung‐Type Deformity in Human Remains From the 7th to 10th Centuries in Japan</title> <description>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, Volume 35, Issue 5, Page 306-314, September/October 2025. </description> <dc:description>ABSTRACTWe present a rare paleopathological case of probable multiple osteochondromas (MO) with an associated Madelung‐type deformity, identified in an adult male skeleton excavated from the Hasekouji‐Shuhen site in Kamakura, Japan, dated from the 7th–10th centuries ad. The individual exhibited multiple exostotic lesions, primarily affecting the distal femora, proximal tibiae, and fibulae, along with a pronounced right‐sided forearm deformity characterized by shortening, bowing, and articular displacement. MO can be supported by differential diagnosis, which is based on lesion morphology, distribution, and bilateral expression, while the forearm changes are consistent with a secondary, acquired Madelung‐type deformity resulting from growth plate disturbance. This case represents the earliest probable example of MO with associated Madelung‐type deformity in the Asian‐Pacific region and only the third such case reported globally. Despite limitations, including the absence of genetic or histological analysis, the findings contribute valuable insight into rare skeletal dysplasias in ancient populations.</dc:description> <content:encoded><h2>ABSTRACT</h2><p>We present a rare paleopathological case of probable multiple osteochondromas (MO) with an associated Madelung-type deformity, identified in an adult male skeleton excavated from the Hasekouji-Shuhen site in Kamakura, Japan, dated from the 7th–10th centuries <span class="smallCaps">ad</span>. The individual exhibited multiple exostotic lesions, primarily affecting the distal femora, proximal tibiae, and fibulae, along with a pronounced right-sided forearm deformity characterized by shortening, bowing, and articular displacement. MO can be supported by differential diagnosis, which is based on lesion morphology, distribution, and bilateral expression, while the forearm changes are consistent with a secondary, acquired Madelung-type deformity resulting from growth plate disturbance. This case represents the earliest probable example of MO with associated Madelung-type deformity in the Asian-Pacific region and only the third such case reported globally. Despite limitations, including the absence of genetic or histological analysis, the findings contribute valuable insight into rare skeletal dysplasias in ancient populations.</p></content:encoded> <dc:creator>Takao Suzuki, Hiroko Hashimoto, Hirofumi Matsumura</dc:creator> <category>SHORT REPORT</category> <dc:title>A Probable Case of Multiple Osteochondromas With Madelung‐Type Deformity in Human Remains From the 7th to 10th Centuries in Japan</dc:title> <dc:identifier>10.1002/oa.70023</dc:identifier> <prism:publicationName>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology</prism:publicationName> <prism:doi>10.1002/oa.70023</prism:doi> <prism:url>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.70023?af=R</prism:url> <prism:section>SHORT REPORT</prism:section> <prism:volume>35</prism:volume> <prism:number>5</prism:number> </item> <item> <link>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.70031?af=R</link> <pubDate>Mon, 20 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate> <dc:date>2025-10-20T12:00:00-07:00</dc:date> <source url="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10991212?af=R">Wiley: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology: Table of Contents</source> <prism:coverDate>Mon, 01 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDate> <prism:coverDisplayDate>Mon, 01 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDisplayDate> <guid isPermaLink="false">10.1002/oa.70031</guid> <title>A Possible Case of β‐Thalassemia From the Cemetery of Santa Maria Maggiore in Vercelli (Piedmont, Northern Italy,18th Century)</title> <description>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, Volume 35, Issue 5, Page 341-350, September/October 2025. </description> <dc:description>ABSTRACTIn Italy's Piedmont region, the city of Vercelli has a history of malaria transmission due to favorable conditions for Anopheles mosquitoes, which may have influenced the genetic prevalence of thalassemia. This study investigates the skeletal remains of a nonadult individual from the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore in Vercelli, dating to the 18th century, and suggests possible pathological changes indicative of β‐thalassemia. The skeletal analysis reveals extensive pitting, marrow hyperplasia, cortical thinning, scalloped epiphyses, and a distinctive “rib‐within‐a‐rib” radiological appearance, which could be consistent with β‐thalassemia major and intermedia. While thalassemia is currently prevalent in Piedmont, no prior paleopathological evidence of the condition has been reported. This study highlights the diagnostic challenges in identifying β‐thalassemia in ancient populations due to similarities with other anemias and the absence of ancient DNA. The importance of combining skeletal analysis with historical and environmental contexts is emphasized to improve diagnostic accuracy. This research provides new insights into the historical presence of β‐thalassemia in Vercelli and underscores the potential influence of environmental factors and genetic disorders.</dc:description> <content:encoded><h2>ABSTRACT</h2><p>In Italy's Piedmont region, the city of Vercelli has a history of malaria transmission due to favorable conditions for Anopheles mosquitoes, which may have influenced the genetic prevalence of thalassemia. This study investigates the skeletal remains of a nonadult individual from the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore in Vercelli, dating to the 18th century, and suggests possible pathological changes indicative of β-thalassemia. The skeletal analysis reveals extensive pitting, marrow hyperplasia, cortical thinning, scalloped epiphyses, and a distinctive “rib-within-a-rib” radiological appearance, which could be consistent with β-thalassemia major and intermedia. While thalassemia is currently prevalent in Piedmont, no prior paleopathological evidence of the condition has been reported. This study highlights the diagnostic challenges in identifying β-thalassemia in ancient populations due to similarities with other anemias and the absence of ancient DNA. The importance of combining skeletal analysis with historical and environmental contexts is emphasized to improve diagnostic accuracy. This research provides new insights into the historical presence of β-thalassemia in Vercelli and underscores the potential influence of environmental factors and genetic disorders.</p></content:encoded> <dc:creator>R. Fusco, C. Tesi, A. Mazzucchi, A. Vanni, M. Licata</dc:creator> <category>SHORT REPORT</category> <dc:title>A Possible Case of β‐Thalassemia From the Cemetery of Santa Maria Maggiore in Vercelli (Piedmont, Northern Italy,18th Century)</dc:title> <dc:identifier>10.1002/oa.70031</dc:identifier> <prism:publicationName>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology</prism:publicationName> <prism:doi>10.1002/oa.70031</prism:doi> <prism:url>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.70031?af=R</prism:url> <prism:section>SHORT REPORT</prism:section> <prism:volume>35</prism:volume> <prism:number>5</prism:number> </item> <item> <link>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.70038?af=R</link> <pubDate>Mon, 20 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate> <dc:date>2025-10-20T12:00:00-07:00</dc:date> <source url="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10991212?af=R">Wiley: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology: Table of Contents</source> <prism:coverDate>Mon, 01 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDate> <prism:coverDisplayDate>Mon, 01 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDisplayDate> <guid isPermaLink="false">10.1002/oa.70038</guid> <title>Weaponry and a Healed Wound From the Parthian Era (247 bce to 224 ce): Insights From the Liyarsangbon Cemetery, Guilan, Iran</title> <description>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, Volume 35, Issue 5, Page 453-461, September/October 2025. </description> <dc:description>ABSTRACTThe current research examines the health and medical treatment implications associated with an iron arrowhead found among the skeletal remains of an individual unearthed from the Parthian cemetery at Liyarsangbon, Iran. This site is dated to the period between 247 bc and ad 224, as determined through relative dating methods. Non‐invasive testing methods, including XRF and Quantometer analysis, established the elemental composition of grave artifacts, while CT Hounsfield scans assessed damage around the arrowhead within the bone. The soil exhibited a pH level of 8.67, signifying its alkaline nature. Among the metallic residues surrounding the subject of investigation, iron was identified as the predominant metal, with average concentrations of 89.93 (XRF) and 90.93 (Quantometer). A Hounsfield unit measurement of 4000 suggested a metallic object within the bone. This study focuses on the production of iron artifacts and examines their practical effectiveness. The intricate design of the arrowhead, characterized by its sharp precision, underscores the advanced level of craftsmanship within the toolmaking industry and reflects a high degree of expertise in metallurgy. Its ability to penetrate deeply into the lateral condyle of the right tibia serves as a testament to the skill and technological sophistication involved in its creation. Conversely, the inability to remove the embedded arrowhead from the bone reveals the constraints and shortcomings in the surgical practices of this particular society, shedding light on the limitations of medical techniques during that era.</dc:description> <content:encoded><h2>ABSTRACT</h2><p>The current research examines the health and medical treatment implications associated with an iron arrowhead found among the skeletal remains of an individual unearthed from the Parthian cemetery at Liyarsangbon, Iran. This site is dated to the period between 247 <span class="smallCaps">bc</span> and <span class="smallCaps">ad</span> 224, as determined through relative dating methods. Non-invasive testing methods, including XRF and Quantometer analysis, established the elemental composition of grave artifacts, while CT Hounsfield scans assessed damage around the arrowhead within the bone. The soil exhibited a pH level of 8.67, signifying its alkaline nature. Among the metallic residues surrounding the subject of investigation, iron was identified as the predominant metal, with average concentrations of 89.93 (XRF) and 90.93 (Quantometer). A Hounsfield unit measurement of 4000 suggested a metallic object within the bone. This study focuses on the production of iron artifacts and examines their practical effectiveness. The intricate design of the arrowhead, characterized by its sharp precision, underscores the advanced level of craftsmanship within the toolmaking industry and reflects a high degree of expertise in metallurgy. Its ability to penetrate deeply into the lateral condyle of the right tibia serves as a testament to the skill and technological sophistication involved in its creation. Conversely, the inability to remove the embedded arrowhead from the bone reveals the constraints and shortcomings in the surgical practices of this particular society, shedding light on the limitations of medical techniques during that era.</p></content:encoded> <dc:creator>Mohammad Reza Eghdami, Majid Gholamzadeh Roudbordeh, Meysam Navaeiyan</dc:creator> <category>SHORT REPORT</category> <dc:title>Weaponry and a Healed Wound From the Parthian Era (247 bce to 224 ce): Insights From the Liyarsangbon Cemetery, Guilan, Iran</dc:title> <dc:identifier>10.1002/oa.70038</dc:identifier> <prism:publicationName>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology</prism:publicationName> <prism:doi>10.1002/oa.70038</prism:doi> <prism:url>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.70038?af=R</prism:url> <prism:section>SHORT REPORT</prism:section> <prism:volume>35</prism:volume> <prism:number>5</prism:number> </item> <item> <link>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.70006?af=R</link> <pubDate>Mon, 20 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate> <dc:date>2025-10-20T12:00:00-07:00</dc:date> <source url="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10991212?af=R">Wiley: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology: Table of Contents</source> <prism:coverDate>Mon, 01 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDate> <prism:coverDisplayDate>Mon, 01 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDisplayDate> <guid isPermaLink="false">10.1002/oa.70006</guid> <title>Local Food, Interregional Rituals: Insights Into Wari Imperialism From Zooarchaeology at El Palacio, Cajamarca, Peru</title> <description>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, Volume 35, Issue 5, Page 248-262, September/October 2025. </description> <dc:description>ABSTRACTThe scholarship on the Wari Empire (ca. 600–1050 ce), the earliest pan‐Andean expansive polity, has been undergoing critical reevaluation, paralleling broader shifts in the discipline of ancient empire studies. This recent paradigm shift offers an alternative to earlier research strategies, which focused on finding evidence of Wari uniformity and extensive resource extraction. Instead, newer research suggests that Wari's socioeconomic strategies were more nuanced, resulting in varied political outcomes across different regions. Our study adds to this body of knowledge by investigating animal use in the overlooked northern Wari sphere of influence within the modern Cajamarca department. The zooarchaeological analysis of 5871 faunal specimens from two spatial units at El Palacio, a Wari regional administrative center in southern Cajamarca, revealed that the site primarily relied on domesticated native fauna, mainly small camelids and guinea pigs, for both subsistence and ritual purposes. Reliance on domesticates was supplemented with occasionally procuring wildlife such as vicuña, puma, and white‐tailed deer; the presence of the latter was identified with a supplemental ZooMS analysis. The regional focus of El Palacio's animal use supports the earlier assumptions about the Cajamarca region's self‐reliant status within the Wari political network and reinforces the view of the Wari economic hegemony as a varied and flexible process.</dc:description> <content:encoded><h2>ABSTRACT</h2><p>The scholarship on the Wari Empire (ca. 600–1050 <span class="smallCaps">ce</span>), the earliest pan-Andean expansive polity, has been undergoing critical reevaluation, paralleling broader shifts in the discipline of ancient empire studies. This recent paradigm shift offers an alternative to earlier research strategies, which focused on finding evidence of Wari uniformity and extensive resource extraction. Instead, newer research suggests that Wari's socioeconomic strategies were more nuanced, resulting in varied political outcomes across different regions. Our study adds to this body of knowledge by investigating animal use in the overlooked northern Wari sphere of influence within the modern Cajamarca department. The zooarchaeological analysis of 5871 faunal specimens from two spatial units at El Palacio, a Wari regional administrative center in southern Cajamarca, revealed that the site primarily relied on domesticated native fauna, mainly small camelids and guinea pigs, for both subsistence and ritual purposes. Reliance on domesticates was supplemented with occasionally procuring wildlife such as vicuña, puma, and white-tailed deer; the presence of the latter was identified with a supplemental ZooMS analysis. The regional focus of El Palacio's animal use supports the earlier assumptions about the Cajamarca region's self-reliant status within the Wari political network and reinforces the view of the Wari economic hegemony as a varied and flexible process.</p></content:encoded> <dc:creator>Weronika Tomczyk, Shinya Watanabe, Jay Hilsden</dc:creator> <category>RESEARCH ARTICLE</category> <dc:title>Local Food, Interregional Rituals: Insights Into Wari Imperialism From Zooarchaeology at El Palacio, Cajamarca, Peru</dc:title> <dc:identifier>10.1002/oa.70006</dc:identifier> <prism:publicationName>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology</prism:publicationName> <prism:doi>10.1002/oa.70006</prism:doi> <prism:url>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.70006?af=R</prism:url> <prism:section>RESEARCH ARTICLE</prism:section> <prism:volume>35</prism:volume> <prism:number>5</prism:number> </item> <item> <link>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.70035?af=R</link> <pubDate>Mon, 20 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate> <dc:date>2025-10-20T12:00:00-07:00</dc:date> <source url="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10991212?af=R">Wiley: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology: Table of Contents</source> <prism:coverDate>Mon, 01 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDate> <prism:coverDisplayDate>Mon, 01 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0700</prism:coverDisplayDate> <guid isPermaLink="false">10.1002/oa.70035</guid> <title>Atlas for the Identification of Sturgeon Species of Europe by Skeletal Elements and Implications for Its Use in Archaeozoology</title> <description>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, Volume 35, Issue 5, Page 413-420, September/October 2025. </description> <dc:description>ABSTRACTThis paper presents a comprehensive photographic atlas for the identification of sturgeon species in Europe based on skeletal elements. The atlas aims to facilitate accurate species identification of sturgeons from archaeological sites across Europe by providing photographs of key skeletal elements and main body measurements. These data were collected from examinations of 42 specimens representing eight sturgeon species and two intergeneric hybrids. The atlas covers 22 skeletal elements, focusing on those most commonly preserved in the context of archaeological sites and useful for species‐level identification. This resource is intended to support archaeozoologists in their efforts to reconstruct past human activities, trade networks, and environmental conditions. It can also contribute to current conservation efforts by documenting the diversity and distribution of individual species‐level taxa of sturgeons in the historical past of Europe.</dc:description> <content:encoded><h2>ABSTRACT</h2><p>This paper presents a comprehensive photographic atlas for the identification of sturgeon species in Europe based on skeletal elements. The atlas aims to facilitate accurate species identification of sturgeons from archaeological sites across Europe by providing photographs of key skeletal elements and main body measurements. These data were collected from examinations of 42 specimens representing eight sturgeon species and two intergeneric hybrids. The atlas covers 22 skeletal elements, focusing on those most commonly preserved in the context of archaeological sites and useful for species-level identification. This resource is intended to support archaeozoologists in their efforts to reconstruct past human activities, trade networks, and environmental conditions. It can also contribute to current conservation efforts by documenting the diversity and distribution of individual species-level taxa of sturgeons in the historical past of Europe.</p></content:encoded> <dc:creator>Tyt Volynskyi, Nathalie Desse‐Berset, Ivana Živaljević, Leonid Gorobets, Oleksandr Kovalchuk</dc:creator> <category>RESEARCH ARTICLE</category> <dc:title>Atlas for the Identification of Sturgeon Species of Europe by Skeletal Elements and Implications for Its Use in Archaeozoology</dc:title> <dc:identifier>10.1002/oa.70035</dc:identifier> <prism:publicationName>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology</prism:publicationName> <prism:doi>10.1002/oa.70035</prism:doi> <prism:url>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.70035?af=R</prism:url> <prism:section>RESEARCH ARTICLE</prism:section> <prism:volume>35</prism:volume> <prism:number>5</prism:number> </item> <item> <link>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.70042?af=R</link> <pubDate>Thu, 02 Oct 2025 10:39:52 -0700</pubDate> <dc:date>2025-10-02T10:39:52-07:00</dc:date> <source url="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10991212?af=R">Wiley: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology: Table of Contents</source> <prism:coverDate/> <prism:coverDisplayDate/> <guid isPermaLink="false">10.1002/oa.70042</guid> <title>From Pigeons to Raptors: Avifauna Across the Early Upper Paleolithic Sequence of Manot Cave, Israel</title> <description>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, EarlyView. </description> <dc:description>ABSTRACTAvian exploitation during the Early Upper Paleolithic (EUP) is frequently interpreted as a marker of socioeconomic intensification across Europe and the Levant. However, the specific character of avian exploitation in the Levant has remained unexplored due to the scarcity of detailed zooarchaeological analyses. This study addresses this gap by analyzing bird remains from the well‐stratified sequence at Manot Cave, Israel. The analysis focuses on three cultural phases: Phase 3 (~40–36.5 kyr cal BP), Phase 2 (Levantine Aurignacian, 37.5–36.0 kyr cal BP), and Phase 1 (Atlitian, 34.5–33.1 kyr cal BP).Butchery evidence across all phases confirms that humans exploited birds, although some remains reflect contributions from nonhuman predators as well. Humans primarily targeted rock pigeons (Columba livia/oenas), which were possibly cave‐dwelling, predictable, and accessible. During the Levantine Aurignacian phase, fowling occasionally extended to game birds, waterbirds, and raptors. Notably, cutmarks on the remains of long‐legged buzzards (Buteo rufinus) and a short‐toed eagle (Circaetus gallicus) suggest raptors were deliberately targeted, possibly for non‐dietary purposes. The presence of nonresident bird species in the Aurignacian layers demonstrates that avian exploitation could have occurred year‐round. Overall, the results indicate a more selective pattern of avian use in the Levantine EUP than previously recognized. At Manot, it centered on a reliable and easily accessible resource, rock pigeons, which may be considered as high‐ranked small game. These findings contribute to a more nuanced understanding of the role that avian resources played in EUP subsistence strategies in the Levant.</dc:description> <content:encoded><h2>ABSTRACT</h2><p>Avian exploitation during the Early Upper Paleolithic (EUP) is frequently interpreted as a marker of socioeconomic intensification across Europe and the Levant. However, the specific character of avian exploitation in the Levant has remained unexplored due to the scarcity of detailed zooarchaeological analyses. This study addresses this gap by analyzing bird remains from the well-stratified sequence at Manot Cave, Israel. The analysis focuses on three cultural phases: Phase 3 (~40–36.5 kyr cal BP), Phase 2 (Levantine Aurignacian, 37.5–36.0 kyr cal BP), and Phase 1 (Atlitian, 34.5–33.1 kyr cal BP).</p><p>Butchery evidence across all phases confirms that humans exploited birds, although some remains reflect contributions from nonhuman predators as well. Humans primarily targeted rock pigeons (<i>Columba livia/oenas</i>), which were possibly cave-dwelling, predictable, and accessible. During the Levantine Aurignacian phase, fowling occasionally extended to game birds, waterbirds, and raptors. Notably, cutmarks on the remains of long-legged buzzards (<i>Buteo rufinus</i>) and a short-toed eagle (<i>Circaetus gallicus</i>) suggest raptors were deliberately targeted, possibly for non-dietary purposes. The presence of nonresident bird species in the Aurignacian layers demonstrates that avian exploitation could have occurred year-round. Overall, the results indicate a more selective pattern of avian use in the Levantine EUP than previously recognized. At Manot, it centered on a reliable and easily accessible resource, rock pigeons, which may be considered as high-ranked small game. These findings contribute to a more nuanced understanding of the role that avian resources played in EUP subsistence strategies in the Levant.</p></content:encoded> <dc:creator>Catherine Ujma, Ofer Marder, Omry Barzilai, Israel Hershkovitz, Maayan Shemer, Reuven Yeshurun</dc:creator> <category>RESEARCH ARTICLE</category> <dc:title>From Pigeons to Raptors: Avifauna Across the Early Upper Paleolithic Sequence of Manot Cave, Israel</dc:title> <dc:identifier>10.1002/oa.70042</dc:identifier> <prism:publicationName>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology</prism:publicationName> <prism:doi>10.1002/oa.70042</prism:doi> <prism:url>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.70042?af=R</prism:url> <prism:section>RESEARCH ARTICLE</prism:section> </item> <item> <link>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.70043?af=R</link> <pubDate>Thu, 02 Oct 2025 05:03:18 -0700</pubDate> <dc:date>2025-10-02T05:03:18-07:00</dc:date> <source url="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10991212?af=R">Wiley: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology: Table of Contents</source> <prism:coverDate/> <prism:coverDisplayDate/> <guid isPermaLink="false">10.1002/oa.70043</guid> <title>Gone Batty: A Newly Adapted Morphological Methodology for Bat Cranial Remains Within an Archaeological Setting</title> <description>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, EarlyView. </description> <dc:description>ABSTRACTIn comparison to other species within faunal assemblages, bats (Order: Chiroptera) have been overlooked, especially in Papua New Guinea, resulting in limited traditional archaeozoological methods. The analysis of bats within an archaeological setting in Papua New Guinea will allow for a greater understanding of bat cranial morphology and the impacts that may be occurring throughout time, including anthropogenic or climatic impacts, changes in identified species' morphological compositions, and even identification of extinct species. This is especially important in regions with extensive human–bat interactions across a vast timeframe, such as anthropologically associated bat‐dominated faunal assemblages in Papua New Guinea. The study will adapt and apply a traditional archaeozoological methodology to evaluate use on archaeological bat cranial remains present within the case study site of Kiowa, spanning the late Pleistocene to mid‐Holocene. Furthermore, implementation of the methodology on a case study site determined whether a morphological change, in association with anthropogenic activities, was identifiable and impacting the cranial remains present across the time periods. The results highlight that the adapted traditional methodology is applicable and able to be implemented on bat cranial remains, producing measurement results for the cranial categories. The results produced through the case study suggest no distinct change in morphological size influenced by anthropogenic activities between the late Pleistocene and mid‐Holocene, although sample size and associated issues may have impacted the results. Interestingly, the utilization of this methodology highlighted taphonomic impacts on the cranial elements that were not initially suspected. The results presented in this paper indicate that the newly adapted traditional methodology can be used in archaeozoological assemblages, expanding the limited archaeozoological approach to bats in Papua New Guinea.</dc:description> <content:encoded><h2>ABSTRACT</h2><p>In comparison to other species within faunal assemblages, bats (Order: Chiroptera) have been overlooked, especially in Papua New Guinea, resulting in limited traditional archaeozoological methods. The analysis of bats within an archaeological setting in Papua New Guinea will allow for a greater understanding of bat cranial morphology and the impacts that may be occurring throughout time, including anthropogenic or climatic impacts, changes in identified species' morphological compositions, and even identification of extinct species. This is especially important in regions with extensive human–bat interactions across a vast timeframe, such as anthropologically associated bat-dominated faunal assemblages in Papua New Guinea. The study will adapt and apply a traditional archaeozoological methodology to evaluate use on archaeological bat cranial remains present within the case study site of Kiowa, spanning the late Pleistocene to mid-Holocene. Furthermore, implementation of the methodology on a case study site determined whether a morphological change, in association with anthropogenic activities, was identifiable and impacting the cranial remains present across the time periods. The results highlight that the adapted traditional methodology is applicable and able to be implemented on bat cranial remains, producing measurement results for the cranial categories. The results produced through the case study suggest no distinct change in morphological size influenced by anthropogenic activities between the late Pleistocene and mid-Holocene, although sample size and associated issues may have impacted the results. Interestingly, the utilization of this methodology highlighted taphonomic impacts on the cranial elements that were not initially suspected. The results presented in this paper indicate that the newly adapted traditional methodology can be used in archaeozoological assemblages, expanding the limited archaeozoological approach to bats in Papua New Guinea.</p></content:encoded> <dc:creator>LilliKoko Muller‐Murchie, Anne Ford, Glenn R. Summerhayes</dc:creator> <category>RESEARCH ARTICLE</category> <dc:title>Gone Batty: A Newly Adapted Morphological Methodology for Bat Cranial Remains Within an Archaeological Setting</dc:title> <dc:identifier>10.1002/oa.70043</dc:identifier> <prism:publicationName>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology</prism:publicationName> <prism:doi>10.1002/oa.70043</prism:doi> <prism:url>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.70043?af=R</prism:url> <prism:section>RESEARCH ARTICLE</prism:section> </item> <item> <link>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.70034?af=R</link> <pubDate>Tue, 30 Sep 2025 02:38:23 -0700</pubDate> <dc:date>2025-09-30T02:38:23-07:00</dc:date> <source url="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10991212?af=R">Wiley: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology: Table of Contents</source> <prism:coverDate/> <prism:coverDisplayDate/> <guid isPermaLink="false">10.1002/oa.70034</guid> <title>Siege and Conquest. Zooarchaeological Analysis of a Sealed Dump in the Luque Castle (Córdoba, Spain)</title> <description>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, EarlyView. </description> <dc:description>ABSTRACTThe archaeological excavations undertaken in the Castle of Luque (Córdoba, Spain) in 2007 and 2008 resulted in the identification of a rubbish dump dated to the immediate aftermath of the Castilian conquest (ad 1243), which included material from the previous period of Almohad domination (mid‐12th to mid‐13th centuries). The dump yielded a homogeneous and sealed faunal assemblage, which can be used to characterize the meat consumption patterns of an Andalusi community in a very specific context, marked by frontier conditions and the arrival of an important military garrison. The consumption of horse meat and changes in usual alimentary habits are examined based on the results of zooarchaeological analysis of the bone assemblage found in the dump.</dc:description> <content:encoded><h2>ABSTRACT</h2><p>The archaeological excavations undertaken in the Castle of Luque (Córdoba, Spain) in 2007 and 2008 resulted in the identification of a rubbish dump dated to the immediate aftermath of the Castilian conquest (<span class="smallCaps">ad</span> 1243), which included material from the previous period of Almohad domination (mid-12th to mid-13th centuries). The dump yielded a homogeneous and sealed faunal assemblage, which can be used to characterize the meat consumption patterns of an <i>Andalusi</i> community in a very specific context, marked by frontier conditions and the arrival of an important military garrison. The consumption of horse meat and changes in usual alimentary habits are examined based on the results of zooarchaeological analysis of the bone assemblage found in the dump.</p></content:encoded> <dc:creator>Moisés Alonso‐Valladares, Silvia Valenzuela‐Lamas</dc:creator> <category>RESEARCH ARTICLE</category> <dc:title>Siege and Conquest. Zooarchaeological Analysis of a Sealed Dump in the Luque Castle (Córdoba, Spain)</dc:title> <dc:identifier>10.1002/oa.70034</dc:identifier> <prism:publicationName>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology</prism:publicationName> <prism:doi>10.1002/oa.70034</prism:doi> <prism:url>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.70034?af=R</prism:url> <prism:section>RESEARCH ARTICLE</prism:section> </item> <item> <link>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.70040?af=R</link> <pubDate>Thu, 25 Sep 2025 01:06:28 -0700</pubDate> <dc:date>2025-09-25T01:06:28-07:00</dc:date> <source url="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10991212?af=R">Wiley: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology: Table of Contents</source> <prism:coverDate/> <prism:coverDisplayDate/> <guid isPermaLink="false">10.1002/oa.70040</guid> <title>Physical Impairment and Care Estimation in Medieval Estremoz (Portugal): A Bioarchaeological Perspective</title> <description>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, EarlyView. </description> <dc:description>ABSTRACTThis study aims to compare diet and skeletal health indicators between individuals with varying degrees of physical impairment and the general adult population from medieval Estremoz, Portugal, to assess their health status and their survival outcomes. Skeletal remains from 41 male adult individuals, including 8 with physical impairments and 33 from the general population, were analyzed. The impairment of these individuals was described, and their need for care was inferred considering the guidelines of the Index of Care and the Bioarchaeology of Disability approach. Skeletal lesions, physiological stress indicators, and estimated diet (using stable isotope analysis of bone collagen) were compared between individuals with and without signs of physical impairment. Individuals with physical impairments did not exhibit more frequent or more severe skeletal indicators of physiological stress or trauma than the general population. The survival into adulthood with good health of individuals with physical abnormalities or limiting conditions suggests consistent care, particularly in childhood and as needed throughout life. This study provides evidence that individuals with disabilities in medieval Estremoz do not seem to have been excluded from the community. These findings contribute to broader discussions on social support, resilience, and caregiving in historical populations. The sample size of impaired individuals is small, and osteological preservation may limit the identification of subtle stress indicators. Future work should explore disabilities and caregiving practices in other medieval populations, incorporating stable isotopic analysis to compare their adult and childhood diet with the general population.</dc:description> <content:encoded><h2>ABSTRACT</h2><p>This study aims to compare diet and skeletal health indicators between individuals with varying degrees of physical impairment and the general adult population from medieval Estremoz, Portugal, to assess their health status and their survival outcomes. Skeletal remains from 41 male adult individuals, including 8 with physical impairments and 33 from the general population, were analyzed. The impairment of these individuals was described, and their need for care was inferred considering the guidelines of the Index of Care and the Bioarchaeology of Disability approach. Skeletal lesions, physiological stress indicators, and estimated diet (using stable isotope analysis of bone collagen) were compared between individuals with and without signs of physical impairment. Individuals with physical impairments did not exhibit more frequent or more severe skeletal indicators of physiological stress or trauma than the general population. The survival into adulthood with good health of individuals with physical abnormalities or limiting conditions suggests consistent care, particularly in childhood and as needed throughout life. This study provides evidence that individuals with disabilities in medieval Estremoz do not seem to have been excluded from the community. These findings contribute to broader discussions on social support, resilience, and caregiving in historical populations. The sample size of impaired individuals is small, and osteological preservation may limit the identification of subtle stress indicators. Future work should explore disabilities and caregiving practices in other medieval populations, incorporating stable isotopic analysis to compare their adult and childhood diet with the general population.</p></content:encoded> <dc:creator>Ana Curto, Célia Lopes, Anne‐France Maurer, Teresa Fernandes</dc:creator> <category>RESEARCH ARTICLE</category> <dc:title>Physical Impairment and Care Estimation in Medieval Estremoz (Portugal): A Bioarchaeological Perspective</dc:title> <dc:identifier>10.1002/oa.70040</dc:identifier> <prism:publicationName>International Journal of Osteoarchaeology</prism:publicationName> <prism:doi>10.1002/oa.70040</prism:doi> <prism:url>https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/oa.70040?af=R</prism:url> <prism:section>RESEARCH ARTICLE</prism:section> </item> </channel></rss> If you would like to create a banner that links to this page (i.e. this validation result), do the following:
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